With an eye on 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-led Punjab Government has decided to transform its cities, towns and villages. For, the State Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to release Rs 298.75 crore to the urban local bodies (ULBs) for infrastructure development in urban areas, besides approving Rs 384.40 crore ‘Smart Village Campaign’ to boost quality of life in state’s rural areas.
Notably, the state’s Local Government Department has submitted the proposal for infrastructure development under an Urban Environment Improvement Programme (UEIP), the funds for which would be provided by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) in two equal instalments, that is 50 percent each.
As per the proposal, a district level committee would be constituted by the Finance Department through PIDB, with the respective District Level Committees (DLCs) to be mandated to undertake work of conceptualization, identification, execution and monitoring of urban infrastructure project under UEIP.
The committees would define the scope of work and financial outlay of the project and DLC would forward works estimates to the Local Government Department.
Spokesperson said that an independent third party technical and financial audit would be carried out by the Local Government Department for all projects under UEIP. “These funds would be strictly utilized for the projects for which they are sanctioned and any change of project or scope of work would have to be approved by the PIDB Executive Committee before the same is taken up,” added the spokesperson.
It was clarified that funds should not be used for operation and maintenance of existing facilities or acquisition of moveable assets but for new projects and not for clearing old outstanding liabilities.
Spokesperson said that the final guidelines would be issued at the time of release of funds by PIDB directly to the Deputy Commissioners.
Similarly to boost infrastructure and facilities in rural areas across the state, a ‘Smart Village Campaign’ (SVC) has been approved for overall development of villages at a cost of Rs 384.40 crore.
“The Cabinet felt the need to enhance the quality of life and living standards of people residing in the villages...The campaign is aimed at improving the conditions in rural areas by converging and supplementing the ongoing governmental schemes for building infrastructure and providing essential amenities,” said the spokesperson.
Spokesperson said that the work under the campaign has been divided into two categories — essential and desirable. “Under the scheme, the Deputy Commissioner shall get the proposals from Block Development and Panchayats Officer as well as various sectoral departments,” said the spokesperson.
Spokesperson said that convergence would be the key feature of the scheme and funds from different sources like RDF, 14th Finance Commission, MGNREGA, SBM, NRDWP, etc shall be utilized for the purpose of the scheme. Further, if there is any other scheme under which the proposed work can be undertaken, the funds of that scheme would also be utilized, added the spokesperson.
With regard to benchmarking of villages, all the villages would be graded or ranked on the basis of a survey, detailed guidelines for which would be subsequently notified by the Rural Development and Panchayats Department. Each district would benchmark all villages after a survey to assess the existing level of facilities of all villages within the district.
PUNJAB DOUBLES SALE DEED REGISTRATION FEES
Government on Tuesday decided to double the registration fee of documents related to sale deeds.
The decision to increase the registration fee of various documents related to sale deeds was taken by the State Cabinet.
The fee for all registrable documents, except leases, has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 400, while the fee for registration of power of attorney has been hiked from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000, said the spokesperson.
Spokesperson said that the registration fees of all sale deeds except leases of immovable property has been doubled.