Chandigarh, June 3 -- The Punjab cabinet on Monday gave its nod to the land pooling policy in a meeting chaired by chief minister Bhagwant Mann.Initially, the policy will be launched in 27 cities and towns of the state, the government said.

The policy was given clearance amidst vocal protests by farm unions and opposition parties.

According to the government, the new policy is aimed at curbing illegal colonies in the state, which as per a survey have crossed 14,000 in number.

Addressing a press conference, renewable energy minister Aman Arora informed the mediapersons that the new policy involves landowners, promoters, and companies as stakeholders in the development process.

"The revised scheme has been rationalised to benefit small ...