Rising above the partylines, the dozens of eminent leaders and farmers today thanked the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu at his residence and said that it is only due to the personal intervention of the minister that the demand of the farmers opting for land pooling in Aerocity, Eco City, IT City and Sector-88 and 89 (Under GMADA) has been fulfilled. It is noteworthy that the GMADA has just recently issued a notification under which the farmers of the above mentioned areas going in for land pooling would not have to shell out extra money for corners and parking of the plots. Those who have deposited the money, would get it back within 90 days by GMADA.Appreciating the efforts of Mr. Sidhu, the farmers said that before the notification, the farmers had to pay extra charges 10 percent as the preferential location charges for the corner plots, 10 percent for facing park and 15 percent in case of both being common. They further said that the minister had assured them of the speedy redressal of the issue after it was brought to his notice.
During his address, the minister said that the GMADA notification would benefit scores of farmers of the area opting for the land pooling facility. He also added that it was the poll promise to get these charges waived which has been fulfilled now. He further disclosed that this decision would also benefit those farmers who opt for land pooling during the acquistion process of new lands. He also reiterated the commitment of the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led government to focus on the development of the rural sector. He also said that the development works are going on at rapid pace in Mohali.Among others present on the occasion included the Political Secretary to the minister and Chairman Market Committee Kharar—Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, Buta Singh Sohana, Tara Singh, Jaswinder Singh Gill Lakhnaur, Randhir Singh Dheera Chaumajra, Surjit Singh Manak Majra, Balkar Singh, Gurdeep Singh Gaga, Harjit Singh Sohana, Jagtar Singh Sarpanch Bakarpur, Gurmukh Singh Sarpanch New Landran and scores of farmers.