Sangrur/Chandigarh, Aug. 12 -- With the state government on Monday withdrawing its much-hyped land pooling policy, Opposition leaders as well as farmers welcomed the decision, terming it a victory for the people.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said farmers stood vindicated in their opposition to the land pooling policy which would not only have "turned them into paupers, but would have damaged Punjab socially, economically and environmentally". "It is a victory for the farmers," he said, claiming that the state government's aim was to "rob" farmers of the land worth lakhs of crores of rupees "without any compensation and without their consent".

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said the BJP had been strongly oppo...