Chandigarh, July 25: A week after he objected to a “pro-coloniser” draft policy, Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was not called for Tuesday’s meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM), formed for framing The Punjab Laws (Special Provisions for Regularisation of Unauthorised Colony) Bill, 2018. However, most of the “flaws” in the policy, pointed out by Sidhu at the GoM meeting last week, have been removed.
After the meeting, the reworked policy was reportedly sent to Sidhu for approval.
Housing Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Additional Chief Secretary, Housing, Vini Mahajan, who have prepared the revised policy, stated that as a pilot project, superimposing layout plans on revenue maps would be first carried out in IT City and Sector 89 (Mohali) and Patiala district before being introduced for all illegal colonies across the state.
The exercise is expected to prevent multiple sale of the same plot or the sale of land earmarked for parks, roads etc. Sidhu had pointed out that since illegal colonies had no plot numbers, the same land was sold several times.
The reworked policy mentions that those applying for regularisation will have to ensure that the registration of the sale deed is done within three months by the plot holder, while the coloniser has to get 50 per cent of the plots registered within a year of filing an application.
The department will also be tracking the 7,000-odd illegal colonies to ensure that they apply for regularisation. In case they don’t apply, these colonisers (or plot holders) will have to pay an additional 20 per cent cost for regularisation.
Sidhu’s objection to allowing roads less than 20-ft-wide has been addressed, besides his suggestion that Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in these colonies be made mandatory and given ownership of all common areas.
Meanwhile, Bajwa said they had never gone soft on illegal colonisers, adding that FIRs had been registered against many. “Now, if they deposit 25 per cent of the charges being imposed for regularising colonies, the FIRs will be suspended. These will be cancelled only after full and final payment has been received,” he said.
Talking to The Tribune, Navjot Sidhu confirmed that he had not been called for Tuesday’s meeting. However, he said the policy had been sent to him and he was happy that the CM had understood that he had pointed out “flaws” for the sake of Punjab’s welfare. “I am glad that the policy has tried to rectify things. In original form, it would have killed planned urban development for next 25 years,” he said.
Source Tribune India
