CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Cabinet Enhances Benefits for Landowners During Land Acquisition
CHANDIGARH, 2nd July 2026: In a major decision aimed at addressing the concerns of landowners and providing enhanced benefits during land acquisition, the Punjab Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, approved amendments to the existing policy governing benefits for landowners, besides introducing several additional relief measures.
A decision was taken during the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
*Enhanced Benefits for Landowners During Land Acquisition*
The Chief Minister’s Office shared that the Cabinet approved amendments to enhance residential and commercial plot entitlements for landowners. The Cabinet also approved several changes to the Oustee Policy to address the concerns and practical difficulties faced by stakeholders.
The government has revised the provisions to benefit landowners. Under the updated rules, landowners who choose the Residential and Commercial category will continue to receive a residential entitlement of 1,000 square yards per acre, while the government has increased the commercial entitlement from 200 to 210 square yards per acre.
Landowners who opt only for the residential category will now receive 1,630 square yards per acre, up from 1,600 square yards. For commercial-category projects, the government has enhanced the commercial entitlement from 800 to 840 square yards per acre.
The Cabinet has also approved amendments to the Oustee Policy. Under the revised policy, the government will grant a 200-square-yard plot to landowners whose one acre of land is acquired. It will allot a 300-square-yard plot to those whose acquired land is above one acre and up to 2.5 acres, and a 500-square-yard plot to landowners whose acquired land exceeds 2.5 acres.
Punjab Cabinet approved a special Letter of Intent (LOI) provision for small farmers
The Cabinet has also approved a special Letter of Intent (LOI) provision for small farmers and extended the validity of the Sahuliyat Certificate from two years to four years. Besides this, original landowners allotted developed plots under the policy will not have to pay stamp duty or other charges at the time of registration or execution of the conveyance deed. Alternatively, they may avail the benefit of stamp duty exemption while purchasing land anywhere in Punjab up to the value calculated on the collector rate of the acquired land.
Eligible landowners will also receive one priority tubewell connection, while farmers participating in the policy will be eligible for allotment of plots at preferential locations.
Meanwhile, during a press conference, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the Punjab Government held discussions with landowners and other stakeholders regarding the existing policy and approved the amendments after considering their suggestions and concerns. He said that under the Residential and Commercial option, the government will keep the residential entitlement at 1,000 square yards per acre, while it has increased the commercial entitlement from 200 to 210 square yards per acre. He added that if a landowner chooses only a residential plot instead of the commercial option, the government has increased the residential entitlement from 1,600 to 1,630 square yards per acre.
About the Author
