Punjab Cabinet Approves Denotification of Land Pooling Policy
In a significant development, the Punjab Cabinet has given its approval for denotification of the Land Pooling Policy, a contentious issue that has been a bone of contention for farmers and residents of the state. The decision to denotify the policy was taken in a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, just three days after the state government withdrew the policy.
The Land Pooling Policy was introduced in 2015 with the aim of promoting urbanization and development in Punjab. Under the policy, the government would acquire large chunks of agricultural land from farmers and then develop it for commercial and residential purposes. However, the policy was widely criticized by farmers and residents, who felt that it would lead to land grab and displacement of local communities.
The Punjab Cabinet’s decision to denotify the policy has been hailed as a victory for farmers and residents, who have been fighting against the policy for years. The government has claimed that the decision has been taken in the interests of farmers, and that it will help to protect their rights and interests.
The Land Pooling Policy was criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability. The government had promised to compensate farmers fairly for their land, but many farmers felt that the compensation was inadequate and that they were not given a fair deal. The policy was also criticized for its lack of consultation with farmers and local communities, who felt that they were not involved in the decision-making process.
The withdrawal of the policy is a significant victory for farmers and residents, who have been fighting against it for years. The government’s decision to denotify the policy is seen as a move to address the concerns of farmers and to ensure that their rights and interests are protected.
The denotification of the policy is also seen as a move to promote transparency and accountability in government decision-making. The government has promised to consult with farmers and local communities before taking any major decisions, and to ensure that their rights and interests are protected.
The Punjab Cabinet’s decision to denotify the policy has sent a strong message to the people of the state that their voices will be heard and that their rights and interests will be protected. The government’s commitment to transparency and accountability is a welcome move, and it is hoped that it will set a precedent for future policy decisions.
The Land Pooling Policy was introduced during the previous Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) government, and it was heavily criticized by the opposition parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The AAP government, which came to power in 2022, had promised to withdraw the policy and to protect the rights of farmers.
The denotification of the policy is a significant achievement for the AAP government, and it is seen as a move to fulfill its election promises. The government’s commitment to protecting the rights of farmers is a welcome move, and it is hoped that it will continue to work in the interests of farmers and local communities.
In conclusion, the Punjab Cabinet’s decision to denotify the Land Pooling Policy is a significant development that has been hailed as a victory for farmers and residents of the state. The decision is seen as a move to protect the rights and interests of farmers, and to promote transparency and accountability in government decision-making. The government’s commitment to consulting with farmers and local communities before taking any major decisions is a welcome move, and it is hoped that it will set a precedent for future policy decisions.
