What is Punjab’s land pooling policy and why are farmers protesting against it? Explained
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab Government’s ambitious Land Pooling Policy 2025—intended to acquire over 40,000 acres of farmland for urban housing development—has sparked intense protests across the state. Though promoted as a voluntary and farmer-friendly initiative, the policy is facing strong resistance from the farming community, political opposition, and experts who warn of long-term agricultural and socio-economic consequences.
What Is Land Pooling?
The Land Pooling Policy, 2025 is a flagship project by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government, aimed at promoting "planned urban development." Unlike conventional land acquisition, where the government directly buys land from farmers, land pooling involves voluntary contributions of land by owners in exchange for developed residential and commercial plots once the land is urbanised.
For every 1 acre pooled, a landowner is offered a 1,000 sq yard residential plot and a 200 sq yard commercial plot. In larger cases, 9 acres pooled would yield 3 acres of developed land, suitable for group housing. For 50 acres, landowners are promised 30 acres of developed plots.
The policy is being rolled out in 27 cities across Punjab. Key targets include Ludhiana (24,000 acres), Mohali (6,000 acres), and Amritsar (4,464 acres), among others like Patiala, Jalandhar, Sangrur, and Bathinda.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has stated that the policy is designed to curb illegal colonies, control unregulated urban sprawl, and ensure farmers remain stakeholders in urban development.
"Land Pooling ਪਾਲਿਸੀ ਨੂੰ ਲੈਕੇ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਅਫਵਾਹਾਂ ਫੈਲਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ, ਨਵੀਂ ਪਾਲਿਸੀ ਤਹਿਤ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਆਪਣੀ ਮਰਜ਼ੀ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਹੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਦੇ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ"
ਕੀ ਹੈ ਨਵੀਂ Land Pooling ਪਾਲਿਸੀ, CM @BhagwantMann ਜੀ ਨੇ ਵਿਸਥਾਰ 'ਚ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ???? pic.twitter.com/vVviiBBrd9 — AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) May 28, 2025
Why are farmers protesting?
Despite assurances from the government, many farmers view the policy as a threat to their livelihood, identity and food security. They argue that converting over 40,000 acres of fertile farmland into urban land could lead to a loss of nearly 1.5 lakh tonne of paddy annually. Most of the targeted land lies in agriculturally rich regions.
Farmers also question the voluntary nature of the policy. They say land was their security and livelihood. Women in households were involved in dairy farming; what would happen to them if their land was taken?
Political backlash
The land pooling move is also under fire from political parties. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar has described it a “Ponzi scheme” aimed at deceiving farmers with lofty promises. He accused the government of trying to fund populist schemes by exploiting vulnerable landowners.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal called the policy a “land-grabbing scheme,” alleging that it was a ploy to raise Rs 10,000 crore through kickbacks and enrich private developers.
Experts say that while the policy draws from the Punjab Regional Town Planning and Development Act, 1995, it lacks the stringent resettlement and compensation safeguards mandated under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, which ensures greater protection for landowners.
What’s driving the govt?
The Punjab Government expects to raise Rs 20,000–25,000 crore through this initiative, with sources suggesting that these funds may be used to fulfill pre-election promises, including a scheme to provide Rs 1,000 per month to all women in the state. With state elections scheduled for early 2027, the Mann government has about 18 months before the model code of conduct kicks in.
The land pooling model, seen as faster and less litigious than forced acquisition, is being pursued to accelerate urban development and raise funds. However, it is this very speed and lack of legal oversight that has raised concerns about the policy’s transparency and fairness.
- PTC NEWS
