Latest news with #Mundian
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab ups land pooling stakes, farmers to get Rs 1L/acre yearly
1 2 Chandigarh: Under fire from opposition and farm groups, the Punjab govt on Monday increased the incentive for farmers in its land pooling policy, saying that landowners will be paid an annual amount of Rs 50,000 per acre before govt takes possession of land and then increase this amount to Rs 1 lakh per acre after it takes possession. Punjab housing minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said state govt would give the first installment of Rs 50,000 within 21 days of a landowner applying for the scheme and would issue a letter of interest to the farm in the same time period. If the govt takes 2-3 years to develop the land, the lease amount will be increased by 10% every year, said Mundian, who he met residents of 164 villages covered under the scheme. "The decision will be approved by the state cabinet in its next meeting," added Mundian. Later, an official said a meeting of the state cabinet had been convened on Tuesday morning. Mundian had met landowners to take feedback about the scheme. Mundian said until development starts, farmers would be able to continue farming on their land and would be eligible for the money made from it. The minister said the state govt would continue holding meetings with farmers from villages covered under the scheme. He added farmers will receive residential and commercial plots under the scheme, alleging that previous govts encouraged illegal colonies to benefit select individuals, leading to unplanned urban development, while colony residents remained deprived of basic amenities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo "The new scheme will ensure that commercial properties in planned colonies become a permanent source of income for farmers," he said. Earlier in the day, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann defended the scheme, calling it a pro-farmer initiative aimed at boosting development and generating long-term income for rural landowners. Speaking at an event in Dhuri, where he distributed more than Rs 31 crore in grants to 70 villages for development projects, Mann said the scheme didn't involve any forcible acquisition of land. "Farmers will now become long-term stakeholders in Punjab's progress," he added. (Inputs from Patiala) Farmers protest in Amritsar Amritsar: Hundreds of farmers gathered at the deputy commissioner's office here on Monday to protest against the land pooling policy of the govt. Kashmir Singh, president of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta), claimed that the Punjab govt was using the policy to displace farmers and seize their land. Under the policy, a notification was issued to acquire land in 22 villages of Amritsar. A total of 4,464 acres of land will be acquired from these villages, which will be a grave injustice, Kashmir Singh added.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Amid Protests by Farmers, Opp Higher rent, letter of intent in 21 days: Mann govt tweaks land pooling policy
The Punjab government Monday announced several changes in its land pooling policy, hours after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claimed that the scheme in its original form was 'pro-farmer' and 'development oriented', and slammed the opposition parties for 'misleading' people about it. The Aam Aadmi Party government has been facing flak from landowners and the opposition parties, who have dubbed the policy a 'land loot' scheme 'tailor-made' to 'forcibly acquire' farmers' land, a charge denied by the ruling dispensation. On Monday too, separate protests were held in Amritsar, and Mohali by farmers' unions and the Congress, respectively. Meanwhile, Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, announced that rent for every acre of land to be acquired under the policy has been doubled from earlier promised Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, and the letter of intent will be issued within 21 days after getting their consent for the land pooling. Mundian made the announcement after meeting landowners from 164 villages across Punjab, to be affected by the policy. 'I have come with a good news for the farmer brothers. They have been saying that Rs 50,000 per acre as rent for their land, after they give consent for land pooling, was very less. They said that they earn Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 from agriculture on every acre every year. We have decided to increase it (the rent). When they give consent, they will be given Rs 50,000 in advance for one year. The farmer will be allowed to do agriculture on the land till the development work is started. When we take the possession of the land, the farmers will start getting Rs 1 lakh,' Mundian said. 'Farmers said that development takes two to three years to be completed. We have found a way. They will be given an increase of 10 per cent on this Rs 1 lakh every year till they are given the plots and commercial land, in lieu of their land given for acquisition. The increased amount will continue to be given regularly till the development is completed,' he added. The Minister further said that the government has now decided to issue the Letter of Intent (LOI) to farmers within 21 days of getting their consent. 'The landowners have been saying that there was no clarity on issuance of LOI as the incumbent government had only 1.5 years left in the office. And if a new government is elected, then they will not know whether their land will be used for development or not. We have now cleared their apprehensions. Now, the landowners should not have any problem,' he said. Later, an official said that CM Mann has called a Cabinet meeting Tuesday where the tweaked land pooling policy is likely to be tabled. Earlier in day, addressing a gathering in Sangrur after disbursing grants worth Rs 31.30 crore to 70 villages under the Dhuri Assembly segment for development works, Mann slammed the opposition for 'hoodwinking' facts and misinforming people about the scheme for 'vested political interests'. Mann said there will be no forcible acquisition of land under the scheme, which will immensely 'benefit' the farmers of the state. The CM further said that people are aware of the 'dubious character' of the opposition leaders, who 'backstabbed' Punjabis on several issues. 'The land pooling policy is aimed at creating a perennial source of income for the farmers and making them an active partner in the growth and progress of the state,' Mann added. 'There is no forcible acquisition. There is no bar on the land registry. If anybody wants to give land, he can give. He will get 1,000 square yards of residential plot and 200 square yards of commercial plot under the scheme,' Mann said, adding 'If you have given your land, you can do farming till the government develops the land'.. 'Do not believe in rumours being spread by the opposition parties. We want Punjab's success,' Mann said, as he targeted the opposition parties for criticising his government over the scheme. Mann also said that commercial property in planned colonies to be carved out under the land pooling scheme will be a permanent asset for the farmers. He said the policy is aimed at giving impetus to the overall growth of the state. The state Cabinet last month gave its nod to the land pooling policy and asserted that 'not even a single yard will be forcibly acquired from the land owners'. Under the land pooling policy, a land owner will be given 1,000 square yards of residential plot and 200 square yards of commercial plot in fully developed land in lieu of one acre of land, the state government said earlier. It also said the policy was designed to foster transparent and planned urban development across Punjab.
The Print
2 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Land pooling scheme: Farmers to get Rs 1 lakh per acre until land is developed
Mundian also said there will be a 10 per cent hike per annum until the land development is complete. He further said the amount of Rs 50,000 will be hiked to Rs 1 lakh per acre when the government takes over the possession of the land. Chandigarh, Jul 21 (PTI) Farmers will initially receive Rs 50,000 per acre along with the letter of intent (LOI) within 21 days of applying for the land-pooling scheme, said Punjab Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Monday. The housing and urban development minister held deliberations with the farmers of 164 villages regarding the land-pooling scheme here to get their feedback and address their concerns related to the scheme. Mundian said farmers who opt for the land-pooling scheme can continue farming on the land until the development work on the land starts. The minister said farmers will get the LOI within 21 days of applying for the scheme. The day the government takes possession of the land, the amount of Rs 1 lakh per acre per annum will be given and if the government takes two or three years in land development, there will be a 10 per cent annual increase in the lease amount, he said. Initially, the state government had promised Rs 30,000 per acre to farmers for their land. The AAP government has been facing flak from the opposition parties which dubbed the land-pooling policy a 'looting' scheme to 'rob' farmers of their land. PTI CHS MNK MNK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
Land pooling scheme: Farmers to get Rs 1 lakh per acre until land is developed
Chandigarh, Jul 21 (PTI) Farmers will initially receive Rs 50,000 per acre along with the letter of intent (LOI) within 21 days of applying for the land-pooling scheme, said Punjab Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Monday. He further said the amount of Rs 50,000 will be hiked to Rs 1 lakh per acre when the government takes over the possession of the land. Mundian also said there will be a 10 per cent hike per annum until the land development is complete. The housing and urban development minister held deliberations with the farmers of 164 villages regarding the land-pooling scheme here to get their feedback and address their concerns related to the scheme. Mundian said farmers who opt for the land-pooling scheme can continue farming on the land until the development work on the land starts. The minister said farmers will get the LOI within 21 days of applying for the scheme. The day the government takes possession of the land, the amount of Rs 1 lakh per acre per annum will be given and if the government takes two or three years in land development, there will be a 10 per cent annual increase in the lease amount, he said. The AAP government has been facing flak from the opposition parties which dubbed the land-pooling policy a 'looting" scheme to 'rob" farmers of their land. PTI CHS MNK MNK view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 00:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mundian hauls up Gmada over poor Airport Rd work
Mohali: Housing and urban development minister Hardeep Singh Mundian Friday conducted a surprise inspection of the Airport Road widening project between the Sector 65/66 junction and Sector 66B in Mohali. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Expressing strong displeasure, the minister flagged the slow pace and substandard quality of work being carried out under Gmada. Taking immediate note of the discrepancies, Mundian reprimanded the officials on the spot and directed the principal secretary of the department to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure accountability of all those involved, including department staff and contractors. "The ground reality is far from the progress shown on paper. This is unacceptable," Mundian said during the inspection. He emphasised that quality cannot be compromised and warned of strict action against those responsible for the delay and poor execution. The minister said the Mann-led govt is committed to transparent, timely, and high-quality development, especially in urban areas like Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), which has emerged as one of Punjab's most developed cities due to its proximity to the international airport and growing corporate presence. "The planned development of cities is integral to our vision for Punjab. Negligence or lack of seriousness in public projects will not be tolerated," Mundian asserted. He said Gmada is playing a key role in the region's transformation and that he will continue to personally inspect ongoing infrastructure projects to ensure standards are met. The widening of Airport Road is part of a broader urban development plan to improve traffic flow and connectivity in Mohali, but concerns over execution threaten to delay benefits to residents and commuters.
