Punjab approves new land pooling policy; Akali Dal terms it anti-farmer

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann | Photo Credit: PTI

The Punjab cabinet on Monday approved the introduction of a new land pooling policy in the State, even as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) criticised the move, terming it anti-farmer.

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann here.

An official statement said the new policy aims to involve landowners, promoters, and companies as stakeholders in the development process and to increase interest in land pooling among landowners.

“The revised scheme has been rationalised to benefit small and marginal farmers significantly, offering more options to landowners, which will boost group housing and planned development, ultimately benefiting the common man. The policy is designed to ensure holistic development by integrating every stakeholder into the process,” it said.

Game changer

It added that the new policy will be a “game changer” for the state as it will provide major benefits for farmers. “Complete authority lies with the farmer, and it will be their decision whether to give land to the government or not. Farmers can either keep their land and continue farming or choose to sell it. There will be no forced acquisition as used to happen earlier,” the statement added.

Criticising the State Government’s move, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler said it was shocking to see that the AAP government had introduced a new policy under which it was going to acquire agricultural land and sell it to builders and developers. “The land pooling policy amended by the present government would benefit businessmen who wanted to develop colonies on the fertile land of the farmers of the food bowl of the country. Ultimately it would be farmers who would be the worst sufferers under the new policy,” he said in a statement.

Published - June 03, 2025 01:57 am IST