Punjab villages up in arms against acquisition of over 24,000 acres for land pooling scheme, here is a district-wise breakdown
The land pooling scheme was approved during a GLADA executive committee meeting, but opposition is growing amid concerns about ownership rights, livelihoods, and the lack of transparency in the process.
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GLADA’s 18th executive committee meeting plans to acquire 24,311 acres of land from 57 villages in four districts of Punjab, facing stiff resistance from farmers and political groups. (File)The Punjab government’s ambitious plan to acquire 24,311 acres of land from 57 villages in four districts of Punjab under the land pooling scheme of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) is facing stiff resistance from farmers and political groups.
Most of this land, across 44 villages, is in the Ludhiana district alone, while the rest falls in Moga, Ferozepur, and Nawanshahr districts. The GLADA plans to acquire this land to develop urban estates, but farmers say it is highly fertile.
The decision was finalised in the GLADA’s 18th executive committee meeting on April 15 at the Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh. This meeting aimed to carry forward the resolutions passed during the 17th executive meeting held on January 17, 2023. However, strong opposition from farmers and political pressure make the process increasingly challenging, while the state government remains largely silent amid the growing controversy.
Villages and land under acquisition:
District Ludhiana (44 villages)
Bagga Kalan, Noorpur Bet, Garha, Malakpur – 2,352.49 acres
Birmi, Basemi, Bhagala, Dakha, Issewal, Bhattian – 3,560.22 acres
Dakha, Gahour, Bhanohar – 1,893.68 acres
Threeke, Jhande, Laltoan, Badowal, Hasanpur – 2,450.89 acres
Hasanpur, Bhanohar, Pamali, Badowal – 2,680.99 acres
Pamali, Chhokra, Mansooran, Ratan, Laltoan Kalan, Khandoor – 2,160.74 acres
Ballowal, Narangwal, Jodhan, Ratan, Mansooran, Dolo Kalan, Sahijad, Kheri, Jhameri, Dolo Khurd, Laltoan Kalan – 3,624.25 acres
Chak Kalan, Changan, Kaelpur, Dakha, Rurka, Khandoor, Pamali, Dhaipai – 3,589.81 acres
Aligarh, Pona, Agwarh, Gujjran, Malak – 510 acres
Balio (Tehsil Samrala) – 250 acres
District Moga (7 villages)
Talwandi, Bhangerian, Bughhipura, Khera Swaad, Rowli Swaad, Rowli, Chugawan – 542 acres
District Ferozepur (5 villages)
Mohkam, Khanwala, Dastool, Sahibwala, Sattiawala – 313 acres
District Nawanshahr (1 village)
Mahalon – 383 acres
Total: 24,311 acres across 57 villages in 4 districts
Farmers’ resistance and political reactions
On Wednesday, the Punjab unit of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) held a meeting in Bhanohar village, attended by farmers from nearly 30 villages. The gathering also saw participation from Dakha MLA and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) rebel faction leader Manpreet Singh Ayali, as well as Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal is currently visiting several affected villages in Ludhiana and has announced a protest outside the GLADA office on May 29.
Farmers have expressed strong objections to the land pooling scheme, claiming it threatens their ownership rights and livelihoods. “The scheme demands surrendering agricultural land in exchange for smaller, developed plots, which may neither match in value nor suit farming,” said Kanwaljit Khanna of BKU Dakaunda.
“There is also a lack of transparency and legal clarity, and farmers may be left without income for years.”
Manjit Singh Dhaner, president of BKU Dakaunda, added, “The rural ecosystem, village identity, and common community lands are at risk. Consultations with landowners have been minimal, increasing distrust. With no clear guarantees on the location or quality of returned plots, farmers view the move as a potential land grab favouring private developers.”
Repeated attempts by The Indian Express to contact Sandeep Kumar, chief administrator of GLADA, went unanswered.
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