CHAMKAUR SAHIB (Rupnagar) Aug 3—Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said his government will soon begin public consultations to discuss the state’s land pooling policy.
“This is not a dictatorship. We will do what the people and the farmers want,” Mann said during a visit to Gurdwara Katalgarh Sahib, where he offered prayers along with his wife and daughter.
Mann’s remarks come as the first conciliatory gesture by the government since the policy was approved by the cabinet on June 2, aiming to acquire over 65,000 acres across 21 towns for residential and industrial zones. The scheme has faced criticism from farmers, opposition parties, and even legal challenges in the Punjab and Haryana high court.
“We will hold meetings with the common people and farmers. Whatever they say, we will do,” Mann said, adding that he had performed ardas for the welfare of Punjab and its people.
Only 115 landowners — mostly from Mohali and Ludhiana — have signed up so far, despite the scheme being open until September 30. Responding to the backlash, the government amended the policy on July 22, enhancing benefits:
- A ₹1 lakh annual livelihood allowance (up from ₹20,000 under previous regimes) until the land is developed
- For every kanal pooled, farmers will get 125 square yards residential and 25 square yards commercial land
- No restrictions on sale or registration of land during the process
The CM’s outreach follows AAP MP Malwinder Singh Kang’s call for party leaders to “earn the trust of farmers.” The policy continues to be branded as “anti-peasantry and impractical” by opposition parties including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and BJP.
