Patiala, May 29 -- Accusing opposition parties of spreading rumours and misguiding farmers regarding the government's proposed land pooling scheme, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday said the scheme was aimed at putting an end to the mushrooming illegal colonies in the state. He said those who were part of the land mafia were opposing the scheme. "Opposition parties are involved in construction of illegal colonies. So, they are opposing the scheme," he said.

Mann clarified that the scheme was 100% voluntary and there would be no forcible land acquisition. He said the scheme was designed to foster transparent and planned urban development across the state. His reaction came after opposition parties accused the government of ...