Despite protests, Punjab government pushes ahead with major land transfers

The letter states that the land “needs to be cleaned” and notes that high-tension wires currently passing through the site must be shifted. An estimate for relocating these lines has been sought, indicating that groundwork for the physical transfer of the property has begun.

Employee union members say this contradicts the government’s claim that the measure is still at the planning stage and argue that such land sales represent a long-term risk to public infrastructure. Ajaypal Singh Atwal, general secretary of the PSEB Engineers Association (PSEBEA), says PSPCL requires more land to upgrade its network due to a rapidly growing consumer base. “Listing prime properties under OUVGL instead of using them for expansion is uncalled for,” he adds.

Another public notice dated November 14, issued by the divisional engineer (civil) of the Bathinda Development Authority, has invited tenders for cleaning a 91-acre land parcel of the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP) in Bathinda. Online bidding is open until November 28. The GNDTP plant was shut on January 1, 2018, by the then Congress government.

This tender comes even as the state government prepares to operationalise a decision taken by the then Congress government in June 2020, when the Cabinet approved the transfer of 1,764 acres of GNDTP land to the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) for redevelopment.

Under the plan, PSPCL was to receive 80 per cent of the proceeds generated above the land’s notional value, while PUDA would retain 20 per cent. PUDA was also authorised to raise ₹100 crore in loans, backed by a government guarantee, to begin development and marketing.

About 280 acres of the colony area were excluded from the transfer. However, PUDA reportedly kept only 253 acres of land, which could be utilised, and handed back the remaining land to PSPCL in February this year. The 91-acre chunk of land is the property that has been transferred to Bathinda Development Authority through PUDA, sources confirmed.

Sources added that PSPCL is also set to transfer another 164 acres of land out of Thermal Colony, Bathinda, which is lying unused, to PUDA.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Mandi Board has already transferred 12 acres of long-unused land in Mohali Phase 11 for an ultra-modern fruits and vegetables market. Mandi Board chairman Harchand Singh Barsat confirmed the transfer in October.

Under the OUVGL scheme, the government has already identified dozens of properties belonging to PSPCL, the Mandi Board, horticulture, veterinary and other departments across Patiala, Mohali, Ludhiana, Tarn Taran, Amritsar and several other districts. In Ludhiana alone, employees say more than 40 properties have been listed.

Meanwhile, the Joint Employees Forum of PSPCL continues to lead state-wide protests, calling the OUVGL-based downsizing and monetisation a step toward the privatisation of public assets.

Stay vigilant: SAD

On Wednesday, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders joined the Mandi Board Employees Association’s dharna in Mohali. Party spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema said the SAD opposes the “auction of the state-of-the-art air-conditioned fruit and vegetable market,” alleging the AAP government is selling “invaluable public assets” under pressure from the national leadership.

“It is ironic that properties acquired over 3.5 decades ago with the vision of building world-class infrastructure are now being auctioned in connivance with builders merely for financial greed,” Cheema said, urging Punjabis to “stay vigilant” and oppose the move at every level.