Punjab Govt to Free Encroached Land, Will Fight Legal Battle if Needed: Minister

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The Punjab government has announced a firm crackdown on illegal encroachments over government land, particularly by influential individuals. Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh stated in a press conference held in Chandigarh that all such lands will be reclaimed, even if it requires legal battles in court. He added that a significant amount of panchayat land has already been freed from unauthorized possession.

The minister was addressing the media regarding a newly launched initiative aimed at cleaning and rejuvenating village ponds across the state. Sondh criticized opposition parties, accusing them of mocking such development schemes while doing little themselves during their tenure. "People should ask the opposition what they did for the ponds and irrigation systems when they were in power," he said.

Highlighting the scope of the initiative, Sondh revealed that for the first time, the government has launched a project to clean 15,000 ponds across Punjab. “In the last 25–30 years, no previous government cared about these natural water bodies,” he said. According to the plan, these ponds will be cleaned, beautified, and fitted with solar-powered pumps. The water will be repurposed for irrigation, helping farmers and promoting sustainable practices. Work has already begun on 1,500 ponds.

To execute the project effectively, the government is adopting three proven models: the Sant Seechewal model, the Pollution Control Board model, and the Thapar model. These methods aim to provide long-term, eco-friendly solutions for water management and village sanitation.

The Seechewal model, however, was at the center of a heated debate during the recent Punjab Assembly budget session, leading to a censure motion against Congress CLP leader Pratap Singh Bajwa. Despite the controversy, the government remains committed to implementing the project, believing it will bring tangible benefits to rural communities across the state.