High Court stays Punjab government's Land Pooling Scheme for four weeks. The court delivered this verdict on a petition filed by farmers. The situation will become clear in the next hearing.
Land Pooling Policy: Farmers have been protesting against the ongoing Land Pooling Scheme in Punjab for a long time. In light of this opposition, some farmers approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In the hearing held on Thursday, the High Court, taking the farmers' objections seriously, stayed the Punjab government's policy until further orders.
What is the Land Pooling Scheme?
Under the Punjab government's Land Pooling Policy, land is acquired from farmers, developed, and then a portion of that developed land is returned to them. The government claims that this policy will promote the overall development of the region and provide farmers with modern facilities along with better value.
Farmers' Objections and Apprehensions
However, a large number of farmers are opposing this scheme. They say that their land can be forcibly occupied through this policy. Farmers fear that they will not receive the promised share or compensation on time and that they will lose their ancestral land. Many farmers have termed it a form of land acquisition.
One-day stay imposed on the first day of hearing itself
In the first hearing of this case on Wednesday, the court imposed an interim stay of one day and sought a response from the Punjab government. The court clarified that the farmers' objections could not be taken lightly. In the second hearing held on Thursday, the court stayed the scheme for four weeks and issued clear instructions.
High Court's stance and expectations for the next hearing
The Court has clarified that the government cannot forcibly implement such policies without adequate transparency and the consent of the farmers. Now, this scheme will not proceed for the next four weeks, and during this time, the government will have to clarify its position. This decision is being seen as a major relief for the farmers. In the next hearing, the court will decide whether this scheme is in the interest of the farmers or not.
What does the government say?
The Punjab government claims that the Land Pooling Policy is completely transparent and will only benefit the farmers. The government argues that the land that will be developed will be returned to the farmers at better value, which will increase the value of their property. Also, the development of infrastructure will also provide economic benefits to the region.
