Providing a much-needed relief to as many as 5,000 colonisers, Punjab Government on Friday decided to simplify procedure and reduce the rates of composition and regularisation fees for unauthorised colonies across the State.
Giving its nod for the revised policy for regularisation of unauthorised colonies in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal late evening, the composition fee for regularisation of such colonies has now been linked with collector rate to remove the ambiguity in different zones.
As per the revised policy, 0.5 per cent of the collector rate (as on April 1, 2013) would be charged for compounding of colonies established before 2007 with the minimum cap of Rs 25,000 per acre and maximum Rs 1 lakh per acre. Besides, two per cent of collector rate would be charged for colonies established after 2007 with the minimum cap of Rs 1 lakh per acre and maximum cap of Rs 5 lakh per acre.
For colonies having area above 20 acres, the composition fee would be five per cent of the collector rate for colonies established after August 17, 2007. Residential plots measuring up to 50 square yards in all residential colonies and plots up to 100 square yards in slum areas have been exempted under the revised policy.
"Separate rates have been fixed for regularisation of industrial and commercial colonies and plots or buildings. The regularisation charges for plots or buildings have also been reduced," added the spokesperson. To establish the percentage of sale of plots, the sale deed as well as the registered, full and final payment agreement shall be considered.
Under the revised policy, a provision of easy payment in installments has been made. The coloniser does not have to pay 25 per cent of the total charges along with application and he can deposit 10 per cent of the total charges along with application and rest 15 per cent charges shall be paid within 30 days from the date of submission of application.
The composition fee for regularisation of unauthorized colonies falling under category A-III has been reduced from 25 per cent of the total composition fee to 10 per cent considering that in this case, the coloniser has to pay ClU, EDC, SIF charges, etc as per the present rates to get licence for the colony.
The provision for self-certification and simplified procedure has also been made with which the plot holders or building owners in
unauthorised colonies could get their plots or buildings regularised by paying charges fixed under this policy even if the offence of the coloniser has not been compounded so far.
The last date for submission of applications would be within 45 days from the date of notification of this policy.
Green signal to Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Rules, 2013
In another landmark decision, the Cabinet approved Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Rules, 2013, for regulating the trade of travel agencies and consultants. These rules envisaged that anyone in the profession of travel agent has to seek a licence from the State government by depositing the requisite documents along with the prescribed fee. The licence valid for five years would be renewed after the submission of fee of renewable fee.
Cabinet sub-committee for restructuring of PWSSBA
Cabinet sub-committee for re-structuring Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has been constituted in view of massive sewerage works to be undertaken across State.
Nod to amend Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961
To bring more professionalism in cooperative banks, the Cabinet approved amending the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, to vest power with government for appointing managing directors of the Central Cooperative Banks also from amongst the experts in the field of banking, management and finance.
Till now, the chairman and vice-chairman of the Central Cooperatives Banks were elected by the respective Board of Directors (BoDs), besides the MDs.
Collection of water rates
Cabinet decided to rationalise collection of water rates by charging existing water cess at Rs 150 per acre annually from actual users from canal water only to the extent of their actual irrigated area. Besides, charges of all types of crops should be recoverable in two equal installments of Rs 75 per acre payable by May 31 and November 30, respectively, every year.
Eco-sensitive zone for sanctuaries
Cabinet gave its nod to keep only 100 meter eco sensitive zone for all sanctuaries of Punjab. At present, restrictions regarding eco-sensitive zone was up to 10 km from boundaries of sanctuaries which led to all cases of establishment of industries, construction of roads, etc being sent to the Centre for sanction.
Rationalized induction, promotion policy for outstanding sportspersons
Cabinet also approved rationalised induction and promotion policy for outstanding sportspersons in Police department. Any sportsperson winning Gold, Silver or Bronze medal in Asian, Commonwealth, World Cup and Olympics would be offered Class-I post in Police department, while any policeman earning medals in national police games or other national level games would earn points which would enable him to earn accelerated promotion.