In a significant decision that may help in freeing thousands of acres of government lands, Punjab
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday issued a strict warning to all those persons
having government or panchayat land in illegal possession. Chief Minister has warned the
encroachers to immediately hand over the land to the government by the end of this month — by
May 31.
Mann, in a tweet, reiterated his government’s firm commitment to get such lands vacated from
anyone including politicians, officers or even high-ups.
The Chief Minister further warned that in case these lands are not voluntarily surrendered, the
government would then be forced to register fresh FIRs against such erring persons besides
making them to pay previous liabilities accrued on the illegally possessed land.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), after coming to power, has launched a massive crackdown against
the encroachers of the panchayat lands. In fact, the state government has set a target of getting
about 5000 acres of such lands from illegal possession in the first phase.
As per the data available with the state Rural Development and Panchayats Department, no less
than 18,000 acres of panchayat land have been illegally occupied by influential people, with
highest encroachments reported from Jalandhar, Mohali and Patiala districts.
Sources informed The Pioneer that the Department is preparing a detailed report, by taking into
consideration the report of Justice Kuldip Singh regarding land grab in Chandigarh’s vicinity
naming several politicians, police officers, and bureaucrats.
TARGET TO FREE 5000 ACRES BY MAY 31
As the AAP-led State Government has set a target of freeing 5000 acres of panchayat land by
May 31, the Department, under a special drive, has been able to get around 300 acres of land
vacated. The state’s Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, in a
major action, has got land vacated at several places, besides Mohali and Amritsar. In some
places, he also had to face opposition from the farmers.
APPROX 50,000 ACRES ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED
As per estimates, the Department official maintained that approximately 50,000 acres of land is
illegally occupied by influentials, including the politicians, retired officers, and cops, among
others. The official maintained that by freeing these lands, the panchayat would
be benefited from the move. “We are getting such lands vacated, and would hand over its
possession to the Panchayats. By further giving it on contract, the panchayats would be able to
earn,” added the official.