MP govt decides to rollback land pooling scheme in Ujjain Simhastha area

Bhopal, Nov 18 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to repeal the land pooling scheme in the Simhastha (Kumbh) mela area in Ujjain following protests by farmers, an official said.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav decided to repeal the scheme after discussions with representatives of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, the BJP, public representatives in Ujjain, and the district administration at his residence on Monday, the official said.

Yadav directed the Urban Administration Development Department and the district administration to issue orders in this matter, he said.

Farmers had alleged that the government was snatching away their land in the Simhastha area by implementing a "land pooling policy" in the name of creating permanent and commercial constructions.

They warned that if the government did not take a concrete decision within the stipulated time, thousands of farmers would camp in Ujjain from November 18 and continue their protest until the scheme was repealed.

Following this, a meeting was convened at the chief minister's residence, which was attended by state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal, among others.

In the meeting, it was agreed to make every possible effort to ensure a divine, grand, and world-class Simhastha event, in which the interests of seers and farmers will be comprehensively taken into account.

CM Yadav said the decision was taken to respect farmers, and in the future, the entire world will witness the grandeur of Simhastha.

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh expressed gratitude to the chief minister for the decision, the official said.

Simhastha, a major Hindu religious event held every 12 years in the temple city of Ujjain, attracts millions of devotees from all parts of India and abroad.

The event is slated to be held in 2028, and in view of this, the government implemented a land pooling policy to acquire farmers' land for permanent construction. Previously, land used to be acquired from farmers for five to six months for the Simhastha event. PTI MAS NSD GK