Punjab Government Notifies Enhanced Land Pooling Policy for Greater Mohali
The Punjab Government has officially notified a significantly enhanced land pooling policy for the Greater Mohali area, offering larger developed plots, a free conveyance deed, a doubled Sahuliyat Certificate validity of four years, and oustee quota residential plots at scheme price to all landowners, regardless of whether they opted for cash or plots. The notification, issued on July 6, amends the Land Pooling Policy-2020 (notified on January 5, 2021, and amended on November 21, 2025) and simultaneously amends the Oustee Policy-2013 to extend oustee plot benefits to all farmers, including those who chose cash compensation.
Key Enhancements in Plot Entitlements
Under the revised policy, applicable across the entire Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) jurisdiction with immediate effect, plot entitlements have been increased across all land use categories. For residential category, GMADA will return 1,000 square yards of residential plots per acre (unchanged), but the commercial SCO component has been increased from 200 square yards to 210 square yards per acre. Landowners opting for only residential plots will now receive 1,630 square yards per acre, up from the earlier 1,600 square yards.
The commercial land category entitlement has been raised from 800 square yards to 840 square yards per acre, a significant upward revision for farmers whose land falls in commercial or mixed-use zones. These increases apply to acquired landholdings of one acre and above, in integer multiples of one acre, in the form of Special Letter of Intent (LOI). For fractional holdings, Special LOIs will be issued with entitlement calculated proportionately, and these Special LOIs will be tradable. Once a person accumulates Special LOIs equivalent to a particular plot size, they become entitled to a full LOI for a plot of that size.
Extended Validity and New Stamp Duty Options
The validity of the Sahuliyat Certificate, which provides farmers financial benefits in lieu of acquired land, has been extended from two years to four years, reckoned from the date of payment of the award amount or the date of plot allotment under the land pooling policy, whichever is applicable. The certificate now offers two stamp duty options: Option 1 allows no stamp duty or other charges on the original landowner (not LOI transferees) at the time of registration of conveyance deed of developed plots; Option 2 allows stamp duty exemption on purchase of land anywhere in Punjab, calculated on the basis of the collector rate of the land acquired by the authority.
Priority Tubewell Connection and Draw of Lots
The priority tubewell connection window has also been extended to four years, co-terminus with the revised Sahuliyat Certificate validity. PSPCL has been directed to ensure installation of the tubewell connection immediately and on priority upon submission of the application along with the Sahuliyat Certificate. Additionally, all plots, including preferential location plots previously retained by GMADA, will be included in the draw of lots to ensure equitable opportunity for all farmers. This provision also applies to Aerotropolis Pockets A, B, C, and D, Eco City-3, and the low/high density townships.
Revised Oustee Policy Benefits
The simultaneously amended Oustee Policy-2013 extends oustee residential plot entitlements to all farmers irrespective of whether they opted for land pooling or cash compensation, and irrespective of the purpose of land acquisition. Under the revised policy, a landowner with one acre under acquisition is entitled to a 200 sq yd residential plot at scheme price on a preferential basis; those with above one and up to 2.5 acres are entitled to 300 sq yd; and those with above 2.5 acres are entitled to 500 sq yd, subject to conditions fixed by the authority.
Third Revision in 12 Months
The notification marks the third formal revision of Punjab’s land pooling framework within 12 months, each iteration forced by a combination of farmer resistance, political pressure, and ground-level implementation failures, making the policy more generous than its predecessor. The Tribune had first reported on April 13 that the Punjab Government had taken an in-principle decision to revise the policy with these enhancements.
