LAND POOLING POLICY KICKS OFF WITH 150 ACRES FROM FARMERS; DISCONTENT AMONG BUILDERS

Punjab's land pooling policy is winning farmer support, with over 150 acres already pooled in Patiala. The scheme offers developed plots in return for land, without acquisition. While opposition parties and unions criticize it, farmers see value. The builder lobby, fearing loss, has emerged as the policy's strongest critic.

- TARUNI GANDHI CHANDIGARH

While opposition parties are attacking the Punjab Government's land pooling policy and farmer unions are trying to turn it into an issue, the common farmer is supporting this policy and has already started giving land to the government.

For the first time, a government has introduced such a policy in which farmers' land will not be acquired. Many experts had questioned whether farmers would give land to the government without acquisition, assuming the scheme would fail. However, the reality appears to be quite the opposite. The land pooling policy has be come a cause of concern not for farmers but for private builders. Farmers are participating in this scheme with enthusiasm.

In Patiala's Urban Estate, farmers have agreed to give approximately 150 acres of land under land pooling to the government. In Mohali as well, more than 50 farmers are ready to give their land. In Amritsar too, farmers are showing interest in the scheme and want to donate their land for the creation of an urban estate. This clearly shows that apart from those who oppose it politically or commercially, the ordinary farmer is very positive about this policy.

Under this scheme, if a farmer gives one acre of land for the development of an urban estate, they will receive a 1000-squareyard residential plot within the estate, which they can sell at any time. Additionally, they will get a 200-square-yard commercial SCO which they can also sell as per their discretion. These plots are several times more valuable than the (shop-cum-office), current rate of the farmer's land, which is why farmers are happily accepting this scheme.

The Punjab government has launched its land pooling scheme, promising to provide common people with secure residential rights and basic infrastruc ture. Finance and Revenue Minister Harpal Singh.