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Punjab Cabinet Approves Voluntary Land Pooling Policy Offering Developed Plots to Farmers

The scheme guarantees no forced land acquisition with written consent for contributions to dismantle land mafias

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Addressing a press conference, renewable energy minister Aman Arora informed the mediapersons that the new policy involves landowners, promoters, and companies as stakeholders in the development process. (HT File)

Overview

  • The Punjab government approved the Land Pooling Policy on June 2 to guide sustainable and planned development across the state.
  • Under the new scheme, farmers can voluntarily pool land and receive 1,000-square-yard residential plots and 200-square-yard commercial plots per acre on fully serviced sites.
  • The policy explicitly prohibits forced acquisition and requires farmers’ written consent for any land transfer or development agreement.
  • Officials say the move will dismantle land mafia networks by banning illegal colonies and integrating small and marginal farmers into formal urban expansion projects.
  • The Shiromani Akali Dal has denounced the policy as anti-farmer even as the cabinet authorizes higher EDC, CLU, and licence fees to fund infrastructure growth.