Chandigarh, May 23 -- Amid criticism of the state government's land acquisition plans, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said that the implementation of land pooling policy is intended to promote transparent and planned urban development across the state, making a significant departure from past practices.

Addressing a press conference here, Cheema said that the policy prioritised voluntary participation and empowered landowners to become active stakeholders in the state's progress, following the principle of 100% voluntary participation. "There will be no forcible land acquisition. We developed a model that respects the rights and aspirations of our farmers and landowners," he said.

The state government has been under fi...