Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today approved recommendations for simplifying the process for sanction of building plans besides emphasizing the need to empanel architects and engineers to certify the same. Presiding over a review meeting of Governance Reforms Mr. Badal pulled up the officers for inordinate in sanctioning of building plans. He gave them a deadline of July 1 to come up with a plan to simpligy the entire process. Mr. Badal also ordered for conduct of internal audits to ascertain the backlog as far as building plans were concerned besides fixing accountability of authorities concerned so that the people do not face hindrances in getting their building plans approved.
The meeting in which senior officials as well as member of high powered committee including Mr. Tikshan Sud were present also focused on the need of simplifying the process of plan sanctioning by informing the Secretary Housing that the designs, plans and structures, which would be prepared by certified engineers/architects be considered as deemed approved, if falling between the building bylaws. The Deputy CM also gave in principal approval to common building bylaws and asked to make these bylaws more simplified. On the issue of unequal fee structure for getting building plan approved in different parts of the state, Mr. Badal said the case for uniform policy could be considered.
Badal issued directions to all Municipal Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Joint Commissioners and Executive Officers of Nagar Council to remain present in their respective offices on every Monday from 10 onwards to redress the public plaints. He said officers would redress the grievances on the spot by taking necessary steps.The Deputy CM also asked Secretary Housing to introduce a State Central Helpline on the lines of 181 for registration of complaints pertaining to Local Bodies Department, which would be monitored on daily basis from high ups of department.Prominent amongst those present in the meeting Mr. S.K.Sandhu, Principal Secretary to CM, Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy CM, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Mr. Rahul Tewari both Special Principal Secretaries to Deputy CM, Mr. Ashok Gupta, Secretary Housing, Mr. J.M. Balamurgam, Special Secretary Local Bodies, Mrs. Kavita Mohan Singh, Director Governance Reforms.