CHANDIGARH: To provide houses to the economically weaker sections (EWS), the Punjab cabinet gave nod to a policy for “optimum utilisation of land reserved for EWS”.
Under the scheme, scattered land pockets located in different housing colonies will be sold off and the money raised would be utilised to acquire 1,500-acre land in different cities of the state. The state development authorities will “generate reasonable revenue” through auction of the scattered land pockets. Separate chunks of land would then be used for to provide either plots or houses to the EWS.
Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “The developers have to set aside 5% area for the EWS. But since 1995, not even a single plot has been given to any EWS during the Akali and Congress regimes. This section was neglected. Over 700 acres of scattered land in various housing colonies in cities lie undeveloped. We have identified that land and sell it in the open market. It is estimated to raise funds to buy 1,500 acres of land in the key cities of the state. It is a historic decision of the AAP govt.”
“The existing pockets cannot be developed properly, and it has been decided to buy and development alternate land for the EWS,” he added.
Utilisation of EDC
The cabinet also approved a policy to utilise the external development charges (EDC) collected by various development authorities on behalf of the govt from promoters who develop their projects under Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (PAPRA) Act, 1995. As per this policy 50% of the EDC collected from promoters will be utilised for development of infrastructure within the periphery of the colony or township whereas the remaining 50% will be utilized by the government for development of major projects in the state.
Relief to acid attack victims enhanced
The cabinet decided to rename the scheme for financial assistance to acid victims as ‘The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2024′ by including the males and transgenders victim in the scheme besides increasing the financial assistance of Rs 8,000 per month being given to the victim to 10,000 per month Earlier, only female acid attack victims were covered and provided with a financial assistance of Rs 8,000 per month.
Amnesty for defaulting land allottees
The cabinet approved an amnesty policy for the defaulted allottees who were not able to deposit the money against the plots allotted to them by Puda and other development authorities. As per this scheme, the defaulters can deposit their dues in lump sum along with scheme interest without any penalty.
6 special courts for NRIs
The cabinet approved setting up special fast track NRI courts in six districts in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Moga and Ludhiana. This will ensure smooth dispensation of justice to the NRI brethren, giving a big relief to them.
Bathinda thermal plant land
It was decided that the 253 acres of land of the thermal power plant Bathinda will be “optimally utilise” by the Bathinda Development Authority for residential and commercial sites, water treatment plant, bus stand, hospital and schools. Besides, 1,235 acres will be returned to the PSPCL. Apart from this, the administrative control of three lakes falling in 173-acre land of thermal plant will remain with the Bathinda Development Authority and the ownership rights will remain with the PSPCL. This area will be developed by the authority concerned as a tourist spot which will make the city as a tourist hub and the profit from this will be divided.
e-auction policy for housing
The cabinet gave approval for amending e-auction policy of the housing and urban development department. On the basis of feedback received after e-auction conducted in Sept-Oct, 2024, and after examining e-auction policies of other development authorities like Noida, Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, and Jaipur Development Authority, changes have been made in the policy to generate revenue. The eligibility fees for all types of properties except chunk sites has been increased and a formula for the reduction in the reserve price of unsold properties after two consecutive auctions has been devised. If a site is not sold in two consecutive auctions, the reserve price will be reduced by 7.5% at the level of chief administrator of the authority. If the same site is not sold in the next two consecutive auctions, reserve price shall be reduced by 7.50% of the originally fixed reserve price for the first auction.
Rental housing accommodation policy amended
The cabinet approved changes in Rental Housing Accommodation Policy 2018 thereby making it more rational. The amendment stipulates that rental housing accommodation projects would also be permissible in institutional zones of Master Plans (except Master Plan of Mohali) and New Chandigarh. Further the accommodations will be allowed construction to house 1000 students instead of the existing limit in 500 over one acre of land.
Pilot project for 200 solar pumps
To promote renewable sources of energy for agriculture purposes, the Cabinet also gave go ahead for launching a pilot project to install 200 solar pumps for agriculture purposes and 90% funding for this project will be done by the Punjab govt.
Bio methanation plant for Buddha Nullah
To check the pollution caused due to cow dung in the Buddha Nullah of Ludhiana, the cabinet also gave nod for setting up an “ultra-modern” bio methanation plant in the industrial city. The plant will be spread over 2.5-acre land and will have a capacity of 300 tonne daily.
Extension of Papra licensed projects
The cabinet accorded approval to allow extension of time period for Papra licensed projects for two years up to Dec 31, 2025, at an extension fee of Rs 25,000 per acre per year. Similarly, extension of one year up to Dec 31, 2025, for mega projects at an extension fee of Rs 25,000 per acre.
Subsidy for paddy straw-based boilers
For paddy straw management, the cabinet gave consent to give Rs 1 crore capital subsidy on setting up of new paddy straw-based boilers and Rs 50 lakh for upgrading the existing plant.
Sub-divisions of villages changed
The cabinet gave consent to include Mahru, Tiwana and Tasalpur village in Ghanaur sub-tehsil, Rajpura tehsil, Patiala district, from Dudhan Saadhan sub-division, Patiala. Likewise, it was also decided to include Namol village in Sunam Udham Singh Wala sub-division, Sangrur, from Cheema sub-division.
UGC scales for sports univ
The cabinet gave a green signal to provide UGC scales to the teaching faculty in the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala.
