Akali-BJP regime framework basis of land pooling policy in Punjab: AAP

Punjab Minister and state AAP president Aman Arora on Thursday said the land pooling policy launched by his government was “built on the framework” introduced by the SAD-BJP regime in the state.

Addressing mediapersons at Punjab Bhawan here, he also described the initiative as a “game-changer for Punjab”, saying it prioritised transparency, fairness and public welfare.

“The policy would promote organised and planned development,” he claimed.

The remarks have come amid mounting criticism of the policy by the Opposition and farmer bodies.

Soon after its launch in May this year, the policy has faced a political backlash. Farmer outfits too have decided to launch a statewide stir against it from July 30 after Opposition parties extended support to them.

The government so far maintained that the initiative would spur urban development, with farmers and landowners getting plots of higher value than the cost of actual land contributed by them. Under it, the government has planned to acquire over 65,000 acres.

While the Congress has launched a series of protests against the policy, several protests by the SAD are also lined up in days to come.

Slamming the Opposition parties, Arora said their past actions contradicted their current stance on the issue.

“The SAD-BJP government had issued notifications regarding master plans in several cities including Mohali, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Hoshiarpur. These notifications declared hundreds of acres for residential and commercial development and it allowed private developers to build colonies,” he said.

“The SAD-BJP and Congress governments’ bonhomie with defaulter builders led to the mushrooming of illegal colonies on around 20,000 acres in Punjab, causing hardships for buyers in the absence of basic civic amenities, including sewerage,” the minister alleged.