Mohali, July 10 -- Greater Mohali Area Development Authority's (GMADA) plans to acquire 2,600 acres under the new land pooling policy for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development is facing stiff opposition with only 15 out of over 8,000 landowners consenting to participate. Several farmers have launched a protest, stating that the acquisition is forced and the compensation being offered to them is below prevailing market rates.

On July 7, farmers submitted a memorandum to chief minister Bhagwant Mann through the GMADA chief administrator, demanding an immediate rollback of the scheme and several panchayats have passed resolutions against land pooling.

Punjab housing and urban development minister Hardeep Singh ...