In a significant move responding to farmer unrest, the Madhya Pradesh government has officially withdrawn four proposed town development schemes in Ujjain. The decision, announced late on Tuesday, led to the immediate cancellation of a planned farmers' agitation that was set to begin on December 26.
Government Bows to Farmer Pressure
The state administration exercised its powers under the Madhya Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act, 1973 to fully revoke the controversial Simhastha land pooling scheme covering Town Development Schemes (TDS) numbered 8, 9, 10, and 11. These schemes were proposed by the Ujjain Development Authority (UDA).
This action comes after weeks of sustained protests led by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS). Farmers had been demanding the complete cancellation of the land acquisition plans, arguing that a previous government order from November 19, 2025 (Order No. TNCP/4/1/0066/2025/18-6) had only modified the schemes under Section 52(1)(b) of the Act, instead of scrapping them entirely as they believed was promised by the Chief Minister.
From Planned Gherao to Withdrawal
Frustrated by the November modification, the BKS had intensified its agitation last week. The farmers' body announced plans to 'gherao' and stage a sit-in protest at the Vikramaditya administrative building in Ujjain starting December 26. This planned demonstration created considerable pressure on the state authorities.
The government's late Tuesday order represents a complete reversal of its earlier stance. The official directive now fully revokes the November 19 order, thereby nullifying the four proposed development schemes altogether.
Farmers Call Off Agitation
Reacting swiftly to the government's decision, BKS Prant Mantri Bharat Singh Bais stated that since the organization's main demand had been met, the proposed agitation for December 26 stands cancelled. This brings a temporary resolution to the conflict that had been brewing for weeks in the region surrounding the holy city of Ujjain.
The Simhastha land pooling scheme was a point of major contention, with farmers opposing the potential acquisition of their lands for urban development projects. The government's latest move underscores the power of organized farmer protests in influencing state policy regarding land use and acquisition in Madhya Pradesh.
