The Punjab government’s recently introduced land pooling policy for an ‘urbanisation’ push in the State, where the rural population engaged in farming dominates, has drawn sharp criticism from farmers, farm labourer outfits, landholders, political parties, and experts in agriculture and economics, who have questioned its transparency and intent.
Asserting its commitment to creating well-planned urban estates to meet the needs of a growing population by consolidating fragmented land parcels and ensuring equitable and sustainable development, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on June 4 notified the Land Pooling Policy, 2025.
Under the policy, the State is expected to acquire over 65,000 acres of land across Ludhiana, Mohali, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Moga, and Tarn Taran. Owners who opt for pooling would receive a 1,000 sq. yd. residential plot and a 200 sq. yd. commercial plot in fully developed land in lieu of one acre, among other benefits.
Since its launch, several farmer bodies and political parties have staged protests demanding the withdrawal of the policy. It has also come under judicial scrutiny, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 7 granting an interim stay on its operation and giving the State government four weeks to respond to concerns.
