Overview

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court granted an interim stay on the Land Pooling Policy, citing absence of required environmental and social impact assessments and lack of rehabilitation provisions for landless labourers.
• Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda set a four-week deadline for the state to file a detailed reply addressing its legal authority under land laws and the policy’s procedural gaps.
• The BJP will launch a “Save Land, Save Farmers” yatra from August 17 to September 5, traversing Malwa, Majha and Doaba regions to rally opposition against the scheme.
• The Shiromani Akali Dal plans an indefinite dharna beginning September 1 in Mohali, demanding the policy’s withdrawal and guarantees against handing pooled land to private developers.
• Farmers under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha vowed to hold an August 16 rally in Amritsar and maintain their agitation despite the court stay.