Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state government would soon take up the matter with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI for seeking relaxations in the conditions of delisted land under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) to allow the construction of residential premises within the jurisdiction of NAC Nayagaon.An assurance of this effect was given by Badal during a meeting with delegation of councilors of Nayagaon Notified Area Committee (NAC) led by the Congress MLA from Kharar Jagmohan Singh Kang, who called on him here at Chief Minister Residence this morning. Taking part in the deliberations, Principal Secretary Local Govt. Suresh Kumar apprised the Chief Minister that the Ministry of Environment & Forests GoI has clearly asked the state government not to permit any commercial activity on the delisted land and also further instructed the government to ensure the bonafide use of this land only for agriculture and sustaining the livelihood of the person/owner.The Chief Minister asked the Principal Local government to tie up with the Advocate General Punjab and Kang to discuss the issue threadbare so that a consensus could be evolved on this vexed issue before sending a concrete proposal to GoI for seeking relaxations in the norms of delisted land. Badal assured the delegation that he would also personally take up this issue with the Union Minister Environment & Forests for its early resolution to the advantage of the residents of Nayagaon. On the issue of poor conditions of roads and sewerage system raised by Kang, the Chief Minister informed the MLA Kharar that the state government had already released first installment of Rs.12 crore for the laying of sewerage system in Nayagaon. He said the state government was committed to provide the basic civic amenities to the residents of Nayagaon on priority. He also told Kang that the Technical Advisor to Punjab Government Lt. Gen.(Retd.) BS Dhaliwal was personally monitoring the ongoing sewerage projects in Kurali and Kharar to ensure its proper alignment. Badal also directed the Local Govt. department to ensure the timely construction of roads, sewerage system, street lights besides the supply of potable drinking water and the approval of site plans for the construction of houses in Nayagaon. Badal also directed CMD PSPCL KD Chaudhary to allow installation of electricity meters which had been temporarily stopped by the corporation. Meanwhile, Kang thanked the Chief Minister for giving patient hearing to the delegation and redressing their grievances to their satisfaction.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Director Local Govt. Ashok Gupta.