Ludhiana, Oct. 12 -- Amid speculations that 1,800-acre government land in villages of Ludhiana (West) was being sold to private parties, the Ludhiana (West) tehsildar has issued a clarification denying the allegations. Officials said the ongoing land marking exercise is purely meant to identify and safeguard government-owned property belonging to departments, such as Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd., horticulture department and Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd.

The clarification came after a letter issued by the Ludhiana (West) tehsildar, dated October 9, went viral on social media. The letter directed revenue staff, including kanungos and patwaris, to carry out demarcation of departmental land in villages of Goindwal, Mannowal,...