Punjab Cabinet approves amendment to land pooling policy, makes it more lucrative

The Punjab Government has advertised land pooling for 40,000 acres of land in 164 villages near 27 cities and towns across the state.

Addressing concerns of farmers and experts

Mann said the government was flexible. “We have made the amendments now. We will continue to do so from time to time if farmers seek any changes to the policy. If the farmers are not satisfied with the size of the plots being promised to them in exchange for their land, they can request that we adjust the size. We will keep tweaking it as per their requirement.”

Several panchayats had refused to join the land pooling initiative, stating that this was less lucrative compared to the earlier land acquisition policies. They argued that people with land up to 3 kanal were not being offered any commercial space.

“They are going to displace the farmers in huge numbers. But they are not offering any commercial space for them for re-employment,” a farmer from Patton village in Mohali had told The Indian Express.

Mann said the Opposition was misleading the public regarding the land pooling policy. “If they (landowners) do not want to give us land, that does not mean they cannot sell it to someone else, take a loan, or mortgage it. They are free to do anything. If they want to offer their land at a later stage, they can still offer it,” he said.

“They can keep farming and keep taking Rs 50,000 per year. After the government takes possession, they will get Rs 1 lakh every month. If development takes time, they will get an enhancement of this rent by 10 per cent every year. The Cabinet has given its consent to this decision of the government,” he added.

The Punjab chief minister also announced that landowners could take a crop loan, subject to a letter of intent to be issued by the government within 21 days.

“Farmers are partners of the government in the land pooling scheme. We keep getting this message in our meetings with farmers. We keep taking their suggestions and making amendments.”

Responding to concerns from experts that agricultural land was shrinking in Punjab, Mann stated that Haryana has 48,000 acres under residential colonies. “Punjab has only 25,000 [acres]. Our crop production is increasing every year. But everybody should have the right to a better life,” he said.

He said authorities would auction land in patches over the years.

Punjab land pooling policy amendments

With the Cabinet clearance to the amendments, owners of three kanals of land will get two residential plots, of 250 square yards and 125 square yards, and a shop measuring 75 square yards, with an FAR of two, in return.

For those owning 4 kanals, there will be a choice between a 500-square-yard single plot or two plots of 250 square yards each. They will also receive land for a shop measuring 100 square yards, with a FAR of three.

The owner of five canals of land pooled would get two residential plots of 500 square yards and 125 square yards each, or two plots of 250 square yards each, and one plot of 125 square yards. Besides, a shop of 100 square yards will also be given to them.

For six kanals of pooled land, two plots measuring 500 square yards and 250 square yards, or three plots of 250 square yards each, or a plot of 500 square yards or two plots of 125 square yards each would be allocated. They would also get a shop of 100 square yards and another shop of 50 square yards.

For seven kanals of pooled land, three plots of 500, 250 and 125 square yards, and two commercial sites of 100 and 50 square yards each will be given. For every eight kanals, three residential plots of 500, 250, and 250 square yards or four plots of 250 square yards each will be given, besides a commercial site of 200 square yards with an FAR of three.

What the earlier land policy said

Under the previous policy, for every one kanal of land pooled, landowners would get a residential plot measuring 150 square yards in the developed colony. For up to three kanals, there was no commercial site on offer.

Any landowner pooling four kanals of land was to get a plot of 500 square yards and a commercial plot of 100 square yards. Similarly, a landowner pooling an acre of land for a residential colony was to receive a residential plot of 1000 square yards and a commercial plot measuring 200 square yards.