Punjab govt gives nod to land pooling scheme

With the state government set to acquire land for upcoming projects in Amritsar,Ludhiana and Bathinda,it has given in-principle nod to land pooling scheme (LPS) for farmers across Punjab.

In a recent meeting of the urban development and housing department,it was reportedly decided in principle that education and medicine hubs should be developed in Amritsar,Ludhiana and Bathinda and for this,at least 100 acres of land will have to be acquired. Also,around 300 acres will have to be acquired for the extension of the Ludhiana airport — the runway will be extended and a new terminal built. The government plans to develop residential and commercial hubs around the airport.

“For all these acquisitions,the government prefers the land pooling scheme (LPS). According to the scheme,per acre a farmer will get two kanal residential plot (1,000 sq yards) and 100 sq yards of commercial space if he opts for it. Otherwise,he will be paid per acre the market rate,as decided by the government,”’ said a senior official.

Last year,the scheme was implemented across 890 acres in Mohali and residential plots and commercial space were given to farmers after developing the area.