Illegal structures: Cabinet nod for one-time settlement bill

ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY WILL BE GIVEN WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL AREAS TO THOSE WHO MAKE NON-COMPOUNDABLE VIOLATIONS IN BUILDINGS

The state cabinet on Friday approved the Punjab One-time Voluntary Disclosure and Settlement of Violations of the Buildings Bill, 2019, for enactment in the budget session of the state assembly next week.

The bill was drafted following the cabinet’s approval on January 2, 2019, for all buildings constructed in violation of bylaws in municipal areas up to June 30, 2018.

The enactment is aimed at ensuring that the unauthorised buildings that have come up over the years are aligned to the parking, fire and safety standards across the state since it is not feasible to demolish them.

This decision would also provide one-time opportunity to violators within the municipal areas, who have made non-compoundable violations in the buildings, for regularisation without compromising on public safety/security and convenience.

AMRITSAR WALLED CITY REGULARISATION

To provide a one-time opportunity for regularisation of unauthorised commercial establishments in the galiara in Amritsar, the state cabinet approved amendment in Sections 3 (1), 3 (2) and 5 of the Amritsar Walled City (recognition of usage) Act, 2016. The amendment, effective from March 1, would require the applicants to submit the detailsof violations in the walled city of Amritsar for a one-time settlement.

MLAS TO DECLARE IMMOVABLE ASSETS IN JAN EVERY YEAR

The cabinet has also approved a proposal to make it mandatory for all MLAs to declare their immovable properties in January of every calendar year.

The cabinet approved the amendment in Section 3-AAA of the Punjab Legislative Assembly (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Act, 1942, for this purpose.

An official spokespersons aid the proposal will be sent to legal remembrancer to prepare the draft of the bill, which the cabinet has authorised the chief minister to approve.

The council of ministers on March 18, 2017, decided that all MLAs and MPs will be required to declare their immovable properties as on January 1 every year.

The cabinet had also decided that for 2017-18, this should be done by July 1, 2017.