High Court in Punjab & Haryana stops land-sharing scheme spearheaded by AAP administration's Land Pooling Policy
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has temporarily halted the implementation of Punjab's Land Pooling Policy 2025 following a legal challenge. The petitioner, Gurdeep Singh Gill, argued that the policy was notified hastily without conducting mandatory Social and Environmental Impact Assessments (SIA and EIA), which is contrary to established legal requirements.
The High Court bench, comprising Justices Anupinder Singh Grewal and Deepak Manchanda, expressed prima facie concerns that the policy was not backed by necessary impact studies or proper consultations with local governance bodies such as gram panchayats or gram sabhas.
The court pointed out that under current law, acquisition of fertile, multi-cropped agricultural land is barred except in exceptional circumstances and emphasized the possibility of significant social impact. The Punjab government has been ordered to file a comprehensive reply, including details on compliance with social and environmental assessments as well as rehabilitation provisions for landless laborers.
The petition also highlighted that the offered compensation in the policy—an annual livelihood allowance of ₹50,000 per acre—is inadequate for affected farmers, and no provision exists for immediate compensation at acquisition. The policy does not have a legal framework defining any timelines, and it lacks a grievance redressal mechanism.
The respondents, represented by advocates Gurminder Singh, Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Maninder Singh, Shekhar Verma, and Kuljit Singh, have been directed to file the reply and complete the pleadings in the meantime. The court's order can be found in the [Read Order] section.
Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Shailendra Jain submitted that land is proposed to be taken not only through direct acquisition but by way of compulsory acquisition as well. The State government plans to take over tens of thousands of acres of fertile land for proposed development works under the 2025 policy.
The matter has been listed for hearing on September 10, 2025. The stay on the policy remains in effect for four weeks from August 7, 2025. This current update indicates that the High Court has issued a temporary stay on Punjab’s Land Pooling Policy 2025 due to significant procedural irregularities, primarily the absence of Social and Environmental Impact Assessments and insufficient stakeholder consultations.
[1] The Tribune, Punjab and Haryana High Court stays Punjab Land Pooling Policy 2025, August 7, 2025, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-stays-punjab-land-pooling-policy-2025-395073
[2] The Indian Express, Punjab Land Pooling Policy 2025: HC stays implementation of policy, August 7, 2025, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-land-pooling-policy-2025-hc-stays-implementation-of-policy-7871242/
[3] The Hindu, Punjab Land Pooling Policy: HC stays implementation, August 7, 2025, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punjab-land-pooling-policy-hc-stays-implementation/article65347239.ece
[4] Business Standard, Punjab Land Pooling Policy 2025: HC stays implementation, August 7, 2025, https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/punjab-land-pooling-policy-2025-hc-stays-implementation-122080700139_1.html
[5] Live Law, Punjab Land Pooling Policy 2025: HC Stays Implementation, August 7, 2025, https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/punjab-land-pooling-policy-2025-hc-stays-implementation-174540
- The temporary halting of Punjab's Land Pooling Policy 2025 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court signifies a significant development in the realm of policy-and-legislation, as it emphasizes the importance of due process and adherence to legal requirements.
- The ongoing legal challenge against Punjab's Land Pooling Policy 2025, which has led to a four-week stay on its implementation, underscores the significance of politics in policy-making, as officials must consider public concerns and legal requirements to ensure a fair and impactful policy.
