Taking cognizance of the matter, Punjab Cabinet Targets Illegal Colonies: Decides on Measures to Check Fraudulent Land Deals. This could be a trivial step toward checking the growth of illegal colonies. The Punjab Cabinet cleared a file that does away with the NOC requirement for registering land/properties. This step becomes important as many citizens fall in the trap of unscrupulous colonizers who sell unauthorized colonies, builders who looted people and sale properties on basis of Power of attorney and even luring buyers by selling plots. The step would ease the dealing of property for the public and will curb fraudulent deals of land.
This is part of the comprehensive initiative by the Punjab government to check illegal colonizers. This had been haunting its existence, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. Most of the time, the colonies do lack basic facilities and legal approval. They are not properly equipped with infrastructure and, thus, become a source of threat to not only the residents but the whole environment. Thus, doing away with the NOC requirement will help make property transactions more transparent and bring the colonizers of such illegal colonies to book.
According to the proposal, beyana or registry of a property until July 31, 2024 will be the last document prescribed for NOCs. They will have until November 2 for the registry through legal proof, and any delay after that will require NOCs. This step is likely to benefit thousands of property buyers who have been caught in legal limbo because of the NOC requirement, allowing them to complete their transactions without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. The Mann cabinet has also given its approval to the first sporting policy of Punjab. Now a cadre of 500 posts will be set up for medal-winning players. This will include 460 posts of senior coaches and 40 deputy directors. The policy on sports has been maintained under this budget of Rs 8 Crore. The Cabinet has also reduced Motor Vehicle Tax on registered Tourist vehicles within the registered State of Punjab.
Earlier, the tax being charged was far higher as compared to the States being established nearby; hence, the states were losing on the number of vehicle registrations. In this context, the vehicle registration is expected to increase. Apart from this, the Cabinet also cleared adding a new category of road tax for luxury vehicles, which will draw an additional Rs. 87.03 crore. And in its efforts to work against pollution, the Cabinet further decided that Green Tax would be levied on transport and non-transport-related vehicles, especially the old ones. Among other important decisions taken by the Cabinet is the amendment to the Punjab Partnership (Registration of Firms) Rules, 1932. The amendment will be paving the way for taking revised service charges as notified in the Indian Partnership (Punjab Amendment) Act 2021 published in the Punjab Government Extraordinary Gazette on July 12, 2022. Amendment in Rule 11(A) of the Punjab Partnership (Registration of Firms) Rules, 1932, will pave the way for such revised service charges to be charged in the state.
The new Fire Safety Bill will categorize buildings based on risk, whether low, medium, or high, and would also provide for insurance against fire risk and other risks. This will help in making the Fire Department effective and efficient in providing better fire and emergency services across urban as well as rural areas in Punjab.