Land pooling policy: Bid to benefit Delhi developers in exchange for kickbacks, says Sukhbir Badal

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday accused AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal of trying to to “hand over” Punjab’s fertile land to Delhi builders at a throwaway price under the land pooling policy in exchange for kickbacks.

The former Punjab deputy chief minister levelled the allegation during a rally held as part of a series of protests launched by the SAD against the initiative.

Soon after its launch in May, the policy has faced a political backlash. Under the scheme, the government has planned to develop urban estates over 65,000 acres across the state.

The Opposition has alleged that it would end up in large-scale corruption with ruling party leader making money through land deals in connivance with builders.

Rejecting the charge, the government has claimed that it would spur urban development while farmers would get plots of higher value than the actual cost of their land.

However, Sukhbir said his party won’t allow the acquisition of an inch of land under the scheme. “We will continue out agitation till the land pooling scheme is not withdrawn,” he added. Sukhbir alleged that Kejriwal and AAP leader Manish Sisodia had shifted their base to the state to “facilitate the loot of Punjab”.