Land Pooling Scheme a Disaster for Farmers, Says Activist Mandeep Manna in Exclusive Interview with Senior Journalist Sanjeev Kumar

Jalandhar/ July 30/Daljeet Ajnoha 
Renowned social worker and activist Mandeep Manna, in an eye-opening conversation with senior journalist Sanjeev Kumar, strongly criticized the Punjab Government’s Land Pooling Scheme, calling it a “disaster” for the state’s farmers.
He revealed that under this scheme, nearly 65,000 acres of land have already been taken over by the government, with promises made to farmers of a return of Rs 1 lakh per acre annually. According to Manna, this would require Rs 640 crore to fulfill, and he raised a pressing question—“From where will the government generate such massive funds?”
Manna also slammed the lack of provision for housing for the economically weaker sections in this scheme, calling it a major flaw that exposes the anti-poor mindset behind the policy.
Further questioning the intent of the scheme, Manna pointed out the contradiction in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s statement, who claims that no farmer will be forced to surrender land. “But in reality,” he said, “farmers are not being issued NOCs, and their land is being forcibly seized, leaving them with no options.”
He accused the government of working in favor of land mafias, rather than for the welfare of the people. Manna also raised the possibility that the government may be taking loans against the land under this scheme, to fund populist projects like the Rs 1000 per month scheme for women.
Referring to today’s Shiromani Akali Dal protest against the scheme, Manna didn’t shy away from criticizing their double standards. “This very scheme was originally introduced by the Akali-BJP government, and now they’re opposing it for political mileage.”
In a strong message to the public, Manna urged, “Punjabis must wake up now—before it’s too late.”