Punjab: NGT clubs cases over farms policy, illegal structures in Shivaliks

In a fresh trouble for the Punjab Government, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has clubbed the petition against the state’s farmhouse policy for lower Shivalik Hills with that of another over illegal construction on land removed from the protected category.

This comes days after the green tribunal granted an interim stay till February 4 on the implementation of the policy. The state government policy allows “low-density housing” or farmhouses on delisted land.

55,000 acres taken out of PLPA purview

The farmhouse policy was introduced last year, taking around 55,000 acres from the purview of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA).

The plea against the government move contended that it was against the Supreme Court guidelines, which allow the use of delisted land only for agricultural purposes while prohibiting commercial activities. The second case pertained to illegal construction on land abutting the forest area in the periphery of Chandigarh, a part of the Shivalik range in the state.

The NGT had taken congnisance of the issue following a Tribune reportm “Punjab Forest Dept raises alarm over construction on Chandigarh periphery”.

The report had published on September 8, 2024. The tribunal had sought of the violation flagged by the Forest department in its communication to the Housing and Local Bodies Department.

The Forest Department has already filed its reply pertaining to 182 illegal constructions in the delisted forest areas.

The Housing Department has also filed its reply, informing the tribunal about the action taken against illegal constructions in the Chandigarh’s periphery.

Apex court guidelines violated, says petitioner

Kapil Dev, had who approached tribunal against the farmhouse policy, said the clubbing of the cases was crucial for understanding the gravity of the matter.”

Dev said the farmhouse policy was in violation of the Supreme Court directions regarding land taken out of the purview of the PLPA, benefiting influential persons — including politicians serving and retired bureaucrats.

“About 55,000 hectares abutting forests with rich flora and fauna have been excluded from the PLPA,” he stressed.

According to him, the court had allowed delisting only for bonafide agricultural use while barring commercial activity. Despite this, he argued, the new notification would be used to seek commercial permissions.

Earlier, Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had also sought details of the policy and the specific portions of delisted land. Committee Chairman Siddhanta Das had written to Punjab Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, seeking information on delisted areas and related court orders.