Asserting the Congress government was committed to freeing 'shamlat' land (village common land) from encroachment, Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu told the state Assembly that the value of such land could probably match the repayment of the entire debt of the state.
To AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu's question about steps being taken to vacate government land from illegal occupation in Kharar and Naya Gaon in Mohali, Sidhu said, "Mutation of shamlat lands of Punjab was in collusion done in the names of private persons in the year 1995. Matter of such lands of Mohali district adjacent to Chandigarh are pending in the high court."
He said, "6,600 acres of land belonging to the forest department has also been vacated from illegal occupation while 31,000 acres of land has been encroached upon in Pathankot."