(Express Photo)Over the last several days, various organisations in Punjab have been protesting against a revised land policy relating to village common land, which is known as ‘shamlat’ land. The state Cabinet recently approved an amendment to the Village Common Land (Regulation) Rules, 1964, allowing panchayats to sell shamlat land to industrial houses, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and companies for setting up micro, small and medium industrial units. What is shamlat landShamlat is one of three categories of common land in Punjab villages. Over time, however, all such lands have come to be known as shamlat land. Some 23,000 acres shamlat land is under the control of land grabbers; of the remaining 1.47 lakh acres, most is auctioned by panchayats every year, and any villager can bid for cultivation.

Source: Indian Express January 24, 2020 22:41 UTC