In a bid to check the mushrooming growth of unplanned and haphazard constructions across the state, the Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday okayed a policy for regularization of unauthorized colonies etc. developed before March 19, 2018.The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh here this morning.The move will give an opportunity for regularisation to colonisers/residents who have failed to apply for either getting their unauthorized colonies regularized or un-authorized plots/buildings falling in un-authorized colonies compounded under previous policies, or whose application are pending.Stringent action would be taken against the colonizer of a colony, which comes up after the cut-off date March 19, 2018, and also against those who do not apply for regularization, the Cabinet decided. According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office, this policy would enable residents living in these colonies to get facilities of basic civic amenities like water supply, sewerage, electricity and road connectivity etc.Highlighting the key features of this policy, the spokesperson said unauthorized colonies developed before March 19, 2018 shall be regularized, with regularization charges earlier paid under the previous policies to be adjusted. The charges thus received from the regularization of the particular colony would be used for providing basic infrastructure to that specific colony only and payment of charges shall be made in instalments.
Besides, committees of officers shall also be constituted for quick regularization of colonies, as well as plots falling in these unauthorized colonies. Residents Welfare Association (RWA) can also submit an application for regularization of the colony. Where there is no colonizer, creation of RWA shall be mandatory. However, the area under the road/park would be transferred in the name of the local authority immediately, and subsequently would be transferred to RWA as and when formed for its maintenance. Till that time, the upkeep shall be the responsibility of the colonizer.Unauthorized colonies have been categorized into four categories viz. where upto 25% plots are sold, where 25% to 50% plots are sold, where more than 50% plots are sold and a special provision for exceptional colony having more than 75% built-up area.The colonizer would be required to submit registered sale deeds within three months from the grant of provisional regularization certificate in case sale agreements are submitted as proof of sale. No legal action shall be initiated against the colonizer who pays full charges as per demand notice. Also, no interest shall be levied on the pending payment.In another decision, the Cabinet also decided to amend Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 through Ordinance in order to simplify the process of filing returns and payment of tax with minimum paper work.Notably, Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 is replica of Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment), Bill has been passed by Lok Sabha on August 9, 2018. Similar amendments have to be made in Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.