India, Aug. 11 -- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has withdrawn its much-publicised and much-opposed Land Pooling Policy 2025 that had proposed to acquire a massive 65,533 acres of land, predominantly agricultural, across the state. The withdrawal on Monday came just days after the high court ordered an interim stay on it.

A two-line note was issued by the principal secretary, housing, Vikas Garg, that said: "Government hereby withdraws the land pooling policy dated May 14, 2025 and its subsequent amendments. Consequently, all action like LOIs (letters of intent) issued, registration done or any other taken there under shall be reversed henceforth".

The policy, defended dearly by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other top...