Farm leader Dallewal warns govt over land pooling policy

Tension over Punjab’s contentious land pooling scheme continues to escalate as farmer unions intensify their opposition. In a press conference held today, senior farmer leader, Jagjit Singh Dallewal issued a stern warning to the state government, vowing that farmers would not allow their lands to be acquired under the scheme, even if it means sacrificing their lives.

Dallewal challenged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to visit the protest site in Jodhan village on August 7 to witness public sentiment first-hand. He accused the state government of misleading farmers with fluctuating compensation promises — initially Rs 30,000 annually, then Rs 50,000, followed by Rs 1 lakh with a 10 per cent yearly increase. “It’s only because of the farmers’ united resistance that the government has made such announcements,” Dallewal stated.

He further alleged that the land pooling initiative in Mohali had already ruined farmers, and warned of hidden clauses, including 60 per cent development charges, daily fines of Rs 500 for unused land and potential dispossession after 15 years.

Meanwhile, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), Punjab chapter, has announced a massive maha rally on August 24 at Samrala Mandi, originally scheduled at Mullanpur, but shifted due to weather and infrastructure issues. The rally will demand cancellation of the land pooling notification and protest against other anti-farmer policies. six-member organising committee has been formed for the rally’s coordination, and village-level mobilisation is underway via ‘jago’ marches and symbolic effigy burnings of Donald Trump, Narendra Modi and Bhagwant Mann.

Leaders of the SKM declared the rally as a potential flashpoint, warning that failure to withdraw the notification might result in a renewed, state-wide agitation.