Punjab’s Land Pooling Policy Temporarily Suspended

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted an interim stay on the operation of the Punjab government’s Land Pooling Policy, 2025.

• The court’s order came on a writ petition challenging the policy, introduced in June to promote sustainable development.

• The court questioned the government over not conducting a Social Impact Assessment.

• The petitioner, Gurdeep Singh Gill, challenged the policy, arguing it was notified without carrying out necessary environmental and social impact assessments.

• The court has directed the government to respond within four weeks.

• The policy was introduced to increase interest in land pooling among landowners, but opposition parties and farmer bodies have been opposing it.

• Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal called the policy a “land-grabbing” scheme.

• The SAD will launch a protest against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government from September 1 in Mohali, which will continue until the policy is withdrawn.