Cabinet approves policy for regularising colonies
Thursday, 04/10/2018
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/cabinet-approves-policy-for-regularising-colonies/662873.html
Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet today approved the much-awaited policy to regularise unauthorised colonies developed before March 19 this year. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
The move will give an opportunity to colonisers or residents who have failed to apply for either getting their unauthorised colonies regularised or unauthorised plots or buildings falling in unauthorised colonies compounded under previous policies, or whose application are pending. Fresh applications will also be considered.
Nearly 7,000 applications were received by the Housing and Local Bodies Departments. However, only 1,300 were regularised and the remaining were rejected on account of technical inconsistencies or non-payment of dues.
Rural Development Minister Tript Rajinder Bajwa said the policy — “The Punjab Laws (Special Provisions for Regularisation of Unauthorised Colony) Bill, 2018” —would enable residents living in these colonies to get facilities of basic civic amenities such as water supply, sewerage, electricity and road connectivity.
Under the policy, the government has waived off Rs 143 crore due as interest on the pending dues of the colonisers.
The minister said the charges thus received from the regularisation of a particular colony would be used for providing basic infrastructure to that specific colony only and payment of charges will be made in instalments.
Besides, committees of officers will be constituted for quick regularisation of colonies as well as plots falling in these unauthorised colonies.
The Residents Welfare Association (RWA) can also submit an application for regularisation of a colony. Where there is no coloniser, creation of RWA will be mandatory.
Unauthorised colonies have been divided into four categories viz. where up to 25 per cent plots are sold, where 25 per cent to 50 per cent plots are sold, where more than 50 per cent plots are sold and a special provision for exceptional colony having more than 75 per cent built-up area.
The coloniser will be required to submit registered sale deed within three months from the grant of provisional regularisation certificate in case sale agreements are submitted as proof of sale. No legal action will be initiated against the coloniser who pays full charges as per demand notice. Besides, no interest will be levied on the pending payment.
Ghar Ghar Rozgar mission approved
Chandigarh: The state government on Wednesday approved the setting up of the Punjab Ghar Ghar Rozgar and Karobar Mission, with the CM to be the chairman of its governing council. The mission will coordinate with the district employment bureaus under the government’s flagship ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar’ programme by organising job fests and connecting between the employer and the employee. Greater thrust will be laid on creation of more jobs and entrepreneurs under this mission, which will also coordinate and monitor the work of the District Bureaus of Employment and Enterprises.
GST Act to be amended
Chandigarh: The Cabinet decided to amend the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, through an ordinance in order to simplify the process of filing returns and payment of tax with minimum paper work. The Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, is a replica of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment), Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 9, 2018. Similar amendments have to be made to the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
Nod to promotion of cop who killed Gounder
Chandigarh: The Cabinet Ministers demanded promotion for Punjab police officers who cracked the targeted killings of religious leaders and those who solved sacrilege incidents. The issue came up for discussion when the Cabinet gave nod to promotion of Inspector Bikram Brar as DSP. Brar was part of the team that killed gangster Vicky Gounder in an encounter on January 26. Meanwhile, the slain gangster’s family said they were unhappy to hear about the promotion of the cop who killed their son in a “fake encounter”.
