Punjab administration rescinds Land Pooling Policy following High Court's injunction

Punjab administration rescinds Land Pooling Policy following High Court's injunction

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a stay on the implementation of the Land Pooling Policy 2025, a move aimed at collecting thousands of acres of land for developing residential and industrial zones. The policy, which faced significant opposition and legal challenges, was seen as a method to curb the growth of illegal colonies.

Court Decision

On August 8, 2025, a division bench comprising Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Deepak Manchanda issued a stay on the policy after hearing multiple petitions challenging its validity[1][2][3].

Key Arguments and Concerns

1. Voluntary Nature vs. Rights Violations: The Punjab government argued that the policy was voluntary, but petitioners claimed it violated the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. They emphasized that the policy did not safeguard the rights of landless laborers[2][3].
2. Lack of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): The court expressed serious concerns about the absence of both SIA and EIA before notifying the policy. The government claimed that these assessments were not required at the current stage since the development work had not started[3][4].
3. Funding and Development Plans: The court questioned how the state planned to mobilize funds for developing over 7,800 acres of land in Ludhiana alone, which was estimated to cost more than Rs 9,000 crore[4].
4. Notification in Haste: The High Court noted that the policy appeared to have been notified in haste without addressing critical concerns like the impact on fertile lands and the social milieu[5].

Outcomes

• Stay Order: The court stayed the policy for four weeks, giving the state until September 10 to file a detailed response addressing the concerns raised during the hearings[1][2][4].
• Government's Position: The state government was asked to clarify how it planned to rehabilitate affected parties and conduct necessary assessments before proceeding with the policy[3][4].
• Public and Political Reactions: The decision has been seen as a significant setback for the Punjab government, with widespread opposition from farmer groups, activists, and political parties like the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal[2].

In a subsequent development, the Punjab government has withdrawn the Land Pooling Policy 2025[6]. The next hearing is scheduled for September 10, where the court will scrutinize the state's response and make further decisions.

• The stay order was passed by Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Deepak Manchanda on a petition moved by a resident of Ludhiana.
• The policy does not provide compensation at the time of acquisition.
• The policy was intended for acquiring thousands of acres of land across districts in Punjab for urban development.
• The government was offering landowners developed residential and commercial plots in exchange for their land under the policy.

[1] Press Trust of India

[2] The Tribune

[3] The Indian Express

[4] Hindustan Times

[5] NDTV

[6] The Indian Express

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