In a sharp rebuttal to the mounting criticism from opposition parties over the recently launched land pooling policy, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State President Aman Arora has accused the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress of adopting a hypocritical stance on a framework that was originally initiated during their own tenure. Speaking at a press conference held at Punjab Bhawan on Thursday, Arora defended the Bhagwant Mann-led government’s decision to push for a land pooling mechanism that he described as farmer-centric, transparent, and essential for the state’s planned urban development.
Arora highlighted that the current land pooling policy was not conceived in isolation, but instead was shaped upon the foundational groundwork laid during the SAD-BJP government’s rule. He revealed that previous governments had issued master plan notifications in several key urban centres such as SAS Nagar (Mohali), Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Hoshiarpur, earmarking large tracts of land for residential and commercial development. These moves, Arora said, paved the way for private developers to establish colonies across Punjab—many of which later turned out to be illegal due to the absence of proper civic infrastructure such as drainage systems, roadways, and street lighting.
“Between 2009 and 2021, the Akali and Congress governments acquired approximately 3,735 acres of land in Mohali alone,” Arora said. “They facilitated planned urban expansion in one region while neglecting others like Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, and Ferozepur. If Mohali deserves organized development and ultra-modern amenities, why not the rest of Punjab?”
Arora took aim particularly at former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, accusing him of colluding with private developers who exploited landowners and built unapproved colonies. According to Arora, this collusion ultimately harmed thousands of property buyers who were left with plots lacking essential services and legal safeguards.
He argued that under the garb of opposing the new land pooling initiative, both the SAD-BJP alliance and Congress were attempting to distract the public from their past failures and the resulting damage inflicted on Punjab’s urban landscape. Arora asserted that the Mann government’s new policy is structured to correct these historical wrongs.
He explained that the revamped policy places no restrictions on the sale or purchase of land, giving farmers autonomy to develop their land independently or in collaboration with the government or private entities. Additionally, landowners would receive Rs 50,000 annually for the first three years after land pooling and Rs 1 lakh upon possession. The policy also offers the flexibility of converting and exchanging plots for residential and commercial use—features aimed at making the policy both attractive and sustainable.
“The new policy is designed not only to boost economic development but also to ensure that the benefits of urban planning reach landowners directly,” Arora said. He emphasized that it promotes inclusivity and fairness while aiming to eradicate the era of opaque land dealings that flourished under previous regimes.
In a concluding remark, Aman Arora demanded that the SAD-BJP and Congress offer a public apology for misleading citizens and encouraging the proliferation of illegal colonies, which he said left lasting scars on Punjab’s real estate and urban growth. He reiterated that the AAP-led government remains firmly committed to transparency, planned development, and equitable public welfare.
He dismissed the opposition’s objections as baseless and politically motivated, saying that the government’s intent is not only to develop cities but also to correct the systemic inefficiencies left behind by those now criticizing the very policy they once championed.
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