The Punjab cabinet on Monday gave its nod to the land pooling policy in a meeting chaired by chief minister Bhagwant Mann. Initially, the policy will be launched in 27 cities and towns of the state, the government said.
The policy was given clearance amidst vocal protests by farm unions and opposition parties.
According to the government, the new policy is aimed at curbing illegal colonies in the state, which as per a survey have crossed 14,000 in number.
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.
“The revised scheme has been rationalized to benefit small and marginal farmers significantly, offering more options to landowners, which will boost group housing and planned development, ultimately benefiting the common man,” Arora said.
Farmers can voluntarily offer their land for development and, in return, receive a residential plot and a commercial site in lieu of one acre of land, the minister added.
As per the policy, for every one acre of land contributed to the developer, the owner will receive a 1,000-square-yard residential plot and a 200-square-yard commercial plot.
“There will be no exploitation of farmers, as they will benefit as private developers, farmers can continue farming or choose to sell it. There will be no forced acquisition as it used to happen in the past,” said Arora, adding that nothing will proceed without the farmer’s consent (NOC) and the land will be given to the government authority.
