The North News
Chandigarh, May 22
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday announced the implementation of an innovative Land Pooling Policy designed to foster transparent and planned urban development across the state. This policy marks a significant departure from past practices, prioritizing voluntary participation and empowering landowners to become active stakeholders in the state’s progress.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the the policy’s core principle of 100 percent voluntary participation. “Under this visionary policy, there will be no forcible land acquisition. We developed a model that respects the rights and aspirations of our farmers and landowners.”
The Finance Minister highlighted the substantial economic benefits for participating landowners. “This policy directly addresses the growing demand for affordable housing in our urban centers, driven by Punjab’s rapid urbanization. Market estimates indicate that farmers who engage in this Land Pooling Policy stand to gain up to a 400 percent return on their land investment,” he stated.
The Finance Minister said that the development agencies of the Punjab Government would undertake the development of pooled land, ensuring the provision of modern infrastructure, including roads, water supply, sewerage, drainage, and electricity. “Once developed, the land, returned to the original landowners as per their contribution, will appreciate significantly. Landowners will have the autonomy to utilize their developed land as they see fit, whether for personal use or for sale,” said Cheema.
Finance Minister Cheema positioned this policy as a decisive blow against the land mafia and the era of illegal colonies and forcible land acquisitions. “For the past three decades, the Congress, Akali-BJP governments have operated in collusion with the land mafia, enriching their political allies at the expense of our farmers. This policy puts an end to that corrupt system,” he asserted.
He further criticized the opposition parties for their “crocodile tears” and attempts to mislead the general public against AAP government’s efforts to revolutionize urban development and empowering landowners in Punjab. “Their outrage is a transparent attempt to protect their crony land mafia,” said Cheema while adding, “During their tenures, countless acres of land were forcibly seized from farmers and subsequently sold to developers and builders for exorbitant profits. They are terrified that the AAP government’s plan to extend this Land Pooling Policy to all major cities in Punjab, ensuring affordable and world-class housing, will dismantle their lucrative network of corruption.”
