Punjab’s Land Pooling Policy challenged in High Court for 'bypassing land acquisition safeguards'

A public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today sought to quash the Punjab government’s recently notified land pooling policy, saying it fails to comply with statutory safeguards, including social and environmental impact assessments, fair compensation, and rehabilitation of affected families.

The petition by comes at a time when farmers and opposition parties are fiercely protesting against the implementation of the policy.

Moved by social activists Naveender PK Singh and Samita Kaur, via advocates Sahir Singh Virk and V.B. Godara, the petition says the Punjab government’s July 4 policy facilitates the acquisition of fertile multi-crop agricultural land, primarily in Ludhiana and Mohali.

According to the petition, over 24,000 acres of farmland across more than 50 villages in Ludhiana was being acquired “under the guise of urbanisation and development” while another 21,000 acres had been earmarked separately for industrial expansion.

It argues that Punjab’s fertile agricultural land being targeted is critical not just for the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, but also for maintaining food security in a state that has historically served as a granary for the nation.

The petitioners argued that the policy mechanism was arbitrary and unjust and lacked any legal framework for ensuring transparency or protecting farmers' rights. Moreover, it circumvents the safeguards of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act).

“The policy is being used as an indirect and illegal method of land acquisition that sidesteps the mandatory procedures laid down under the LARR Act, particularly Sections 4, 8, and 10, which mandate social and environmental impact assessments and bar acquisition of fertile agricultural land except in exceptional circumstances,” the plea states.

The PIL also challenges the foundational 2013 land pooling policy of Punjab.

The petitioners have alleged that the state government, through agencies like the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), is pressing ahead with the project despite massive opposition. “More than 1,600 landowners and farmers have already submitted affidavits before GLADA opposing the move. Media reports have extensively covered the protests and highlighted discrepancies between the state’s claims and the situation on the ground,” the petition adds.

The petitioners have appealed that the High Court quash both the July 4 notification as well as the 2013 policy framework, and restrain the state from initiating any further steps under the land pooling scheme without first adhering to the due process prescribed by central law.