Punjab Land Pooling Policy Sparks Fierce Debate: CM Defends ‘Development’ as SAD Leader Slams ‘Scam’

Punjab Land Pooling Policy Sparks Fierce Debate: CM Defends ‘Development’ as SAD Leader Slams ‘Scam’

RMN News Report Highlights

• Punjab’s new land pooling policy is causing a political clash between the ruling AAP and opposition SAD.

• CM Bhagwant Mann defends the policy as voluntary, transparent, and beneficial for sustainable urban development and landowners, guaranteeing developed plots in return.

• SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal protested the policy, calling it a “scam” aimed at “minting money,” harmful to farmers, and vowed to prevent land acquisition.

• The policy involves pooling land, with participating landowners receiving developed residential and commercial plots, and the state government covering development costs.

RMN News Regional Desk
May 29, 2025

Chandigarh/Ludhiana: A recently notified land pooling scheme in Punjab, under which the government plans to acquire approximately 24,000 acres of farmland in over 40 villages around Ludhiana, has ignited a political clash between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has defended the policy, while SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal has led a protest against it.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sought to clarify what he described as “misconceptions” surrounding the policy and the government’s plan, stating that the state government is not acquiring land forcibly. Speaking during a public interaction in Patiala, Mann emphasized that the government is seeking the consent and input of farmers and landowners for sustainable urban development projects.

He rejected claims from opposition parties calling the scheme a scam, asserting that it is transparent and public-friendly. Mann contrasted the current policy with practices under past governments, where land acquisitions were opaque, leading to massive profiteering for a few while farmers suffered. He highlighted the government’s commitment to transparency and fairness.

Mann also addressed the issue of unapproved colonies, stating that illegal colonies had “mushroomed” across Punjab under previous administrations, leaving residents without basic amenities. He affirmed his government’s determination to regulate and redevelop these colonies to ensure access to modern facilities.

The CM stressed the importance of bringing modern urban planning to rural Punjab, ensuring villages have proper sewage, parks, electricity, and clean water, aiming to give rural populations the dignity they deserve. He criticized opposition parties for spreading fear and misinformation, claiming that half of these leaders are builders or friends with the land mafia who profited from selling land at throwaway prices. Mann specifically cited Akali leader Manpreet Ayali, suggesting Ayali opposes the policy because its transparency and accountability would end his “cosy deals” in real estate.

Explaining the fundamentals of the land pooling policy, Mann stated that participation is voluntary, meaning landowners can choose not to participate and continue using their land for farming or other purposes. For those who participate, the policy guarantees returns: for every acre contributed, landowners receive a residential plot of 1,000 square yards in developed urban areas and a commercial space of 200 square yards for shops or showrooms.

Mann claimed these plots and spaces, once developed, will have significantly higher market value. He added that the state government will bear all development costs, including infrastructure like roads, drainage, electricity, and water supply. Mann estimated that developed property received in return for land currently worth Rs 1 crore per acre could be worth Rs 3-4 crore, which landowners could keep, rent, or sell. He assured that all agreements would be made directly between the government and landowners, ensuring legal protections.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal led a protest on May 28 against the policy on Ferozepur Road outside the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) office in Ludhiana. Badal vowed to prioritize Punjabi youth when giving government jobs and ensure that only Punjabis bought farmland in Punjab, comparing Punjab to other states like Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan that have similar restrictions.

He argued that only a regional party could understand the pain of its people, while others like AAP, Congress, and BJP only wanted to exploit Punjab’s resources. Badal recalled that land acquired for the SYL canal was de-notified and returned to farmers during the tenure of former CM Parkash Singh Badal.

Sukhbir Badal described the land pooling scheme as being brought in by AAP specifically to “mint money“. He warned that it would negatively impact farmers who would lose their livelihood. The SAD president declared that his party will not let even a single inch of land be acquired for this scheme.

He urged people to identify those fighting for their interests versus those against them. Badal also issued a warning to the bureaucracy, advising them not to become “puppets” of the AAP government and stating that action would be taken against officials who committed wrongs over these five years if voters reject AAP in the 2027 assembly elections.