“Small farmers are being crushed under the burden of land pooling policy”: Balbir Sidhu
Punjab Newsline, Mohali-
Former Punjab Health Minister and senior Congress leader, Balbir Singh Sidhu, has once again questioned the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government's controversial land pooling policy. In a strongly worded statement issued here today, Sidhu lashed out at the government for pushing ahead with this “anti-farmer” scheme despite massive opposition from farmers across Punjab.
Sidhu said, “In the last 25 years, previous governments acquired only around 11,000 acres of land for residential and industrial projects. Now, the Mann government is suddenly trying to acquire an unprecedented 65,533 acres of farmers' land under the land pooling policy. This is nothing but a land grab targeting small farmers.”
Citing official data, he said that from 2000 onwards, urban development authorities acquired 10,967 acres of land, out of which only 8,000 acres have been developed till date. “When previous governments couldn’t even fully develop 11,000 acres in 25 years, what magic wand does Bhagwant Mann have that he will develop 66,000 acres in just one or two years?” Sidhu questioned.
He further pointed out that private developers have their own separate land acquisitions. According to Punjab RERA, a total of 1,780 real estate projects have been approved so far — with Mohali alone accounting for 484 projects, followed by Ludhiana (120), Bathinda (100), Jalandhar (50), Patiala (53), Sangrur (23), Barnala (25), and Amritsar (26).
“Despite thousands of acres of land lying undeveloped, the Mann government is stubbornly moving ahead to displace thousands of farmers in the name of land pooling. This will disproportionately harm small farmers, who receive meager compensation that is neither adequate for alternative land purchase nor ensures sustainable income,” Sidhu warned.
He emphasized that agriculture land in Punjab is already shrinking, while industrial units are shutting down or moving to other states. “Instead of snatching more land from farmers, the government should first focus on developing the already acquired land. Only after that, and with full consent of farmers, should any further land acquisition be considered,” Sidhu asserted.