CHANDIGARH: In light of the Land Pooling Policy introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab, facing strong resistance from across the state, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, expressed grave concerns regarding the decision to transfer the debt associated with pooled land onto the allotted plots.
Bajwa pointedly referred to statements made by AAP's Cabinet Minister for Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management, Hardeep Singh Mundia, and asserted that transferring the debt onto the allotted plots is outright unjust.
“This means that the plot will only be issued after the existing loans on the pooled land have been settled. Additionally, the interest on these debts will only exacerbate the situation.” He unequivocally declared that farmers stand to gain nothing from this policy, labeling it as a potential scam and demanding immediate withdrawal of the notification.
Senior Congress Leader Bajwa slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for spreading falsehoods in the media about farmers being able to secure bank loans based on a Letter of Intent (LOI). He declared this statement not only misleading but also legally incorrect.
"Let me be clear: an LOI does not confer ownership, possession, or a defined property with a revenue number. Banks demand identifiable property with a legal title to create a mortgage. No bank will ever sanction a loan based solely on a plain LOI. The CM must stop deceiving the farmers of Punjab, " Bajwa asserted.
Bajwa went on to highlight that Punjab is home to roughly 237 cities and towns spread across approximately 7400 acres, housing an urban population of 1.40 crore.
Bajwa clearly stated that the actions of AAP's National Convener, Arvind Kejriwal, and CM Mann reveal a deliberate intention to alter the demographics of Punjab. "Is AAP planning to settle non-Punjabis in our state? This cannot be ignored, " he charged.