Punjab Government Withdraws Controversial Land Pooling Policy Amid Rising Pressure
In a significant political move, the Punjab government led by Bhagwant Mann has withdrawn its controversial land pooling policy set for May 2025. This decision comes amid mounting political and legal pressures, including a recent court order that halted the policy's implementation. Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal has praised this retraction as a victory for the people, highlighting the collective efforts of various stakeholders. The court's intervention emphasized the potential social impact of acquiring some of Punjab's most fertile land. This article delves into the implications of this policy withdrawal and the reactions it has sparked.
| Aug 11, 2025, 19:52 IST
Punjab's Land Pooling Policy Repealed
In response to increasing political and legal pressures, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, led by Bhagwant Mann, announced on Monday the withdrawal of the contentious land pooling policy set for May 14, 2025, along with all subsequent amendments. A press release from the Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department stated that all actions taken under this policy are now nullified with immediate effect. This includes the cancellation of Letters of Intent (LOIs), completed registrations, and other measures implemented under the policy framework. The press note issued by the Principal Secretary confirmed that the government is retracting the land pooling policy and its amendments, thereby invalidating all actions taken under it.
Political Reactions to the Policy Withdrawal
Following the announcement to withdraw the controversial land pooling scheme, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal hailed the decision as a victory for the people. In a post on X, he expressed his admiration for the brave Akali workers, farmers, laborers, and shopkeepers who united to compel Arvind Kejriwal to retract what he termed a land grab scheme, which aimed to raise ₹30,000 crores from builders in Delhi to expand the party's reach across the country. This development comes just days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued an interim stay on the implementation of the land pooling policy, following a petition filed by Ludhiana-based advocate Gurdeep Singh Gill.
Court's Interim Order on Land Pooling Policy
The court's order stated that to prevent the creation of any rights, the controversial land pooling policy, notified on May 14 and June 6, and later amended on July 25, will remain on hold as an interim measure. During the hearing on August 7, the High Court bench, comprising Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda, noted that the land intended for acquisition is among the most fertile in Punjab, and its acquisition could potentially impact the social environment.