Facing farmers' flak, Punjab govt scraps land pooling policy

CHANDIGARH: In the face of mounting criticism from farmers' groups and dissent within AAP ranks, Punjab government Monday withdrew its controversial Land Pooling Policy , 2025.

The development comes four days after Punjab and Haryana high court stayed the policy, flagging several concerns, including absence of a rehabilitation policy for landless farm labourers, lack of impact assessment studies on society and environment, and the fact that fertile land was shortlisted for pooling. It may affect the social milieu, high court had said Thursday.

On Monday, thousands of farmers held motorcycle rallies across the state to protest the land-pooling bid. In the evening, department of housing and urban development issued a short press note: "government hereby withdraws the Land Pooling Policy, 2025, and its subsequent amendments. Consequently, all actions like LOIs issued, registrations done or any other action taken thereunder shall be reversed henceforth."

It is learnt AAP's top leadership grew increasingly concerned the policy could be politically damaging and undermine govt's other achievements over the past three years. Several AAP functionaries had resigned over the issue, and dissent within the ranks was growing louder. Less than three weeks ago CM Bhagwant Mann assert that farmers would not suffer any losses and that they "actually like the policy as it would transform them into stakeholders in govt's development schemes".

"The policy was introduced in the interest of farmers. AAP always stands with farmers. If farmers do not like this policy, why should we impose it? Therefore, respecting the voice of farmers we are withdrawing this policy," AAP spokesman Neel Garg posted on X.