Legislating real estate boom

The unconscionable and illegal march of real-estate speculators in Punjab represents a failure of the local administrations, which, would have been hobbled by their corruption and the role of their political masters. Like their contemporaries elsewhere in rest of the country, they slept at the wheel and did not nip the evil in the bud by taking action when builders cut out plots, sold them or raised structures on them. It has not been smooth sailing for the Punjab Laws (Special Provisions for Regularisation Authorised Colony) Bill, 2018.  The Bill, in its present form, is heavily weighted in favour of developers. The Punjab Cabinet needs to evolve a mechanism that bases its final deliberations by accommodating all stakeholders.  

A proposal to limit the regularisation to only those colonies where people are living offers a reasonable method of determining the focus of the Bill. The stated cause is of helping people who have invested their life savings in unauthorised colonies. Even as this is being done, it cannot be forgotten that the settlements are illegal in the first place and the government would be burdened with the cost of providing infrastructure, something that the rapacious builders failed to do.

The objections raised by Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu have found resonance at least with one other colleague, and served to remind everyone concerned of the stakes involved. Building mafia, supported by political and other interests, has long rigged the system that has exploited loopholes in the law, as well as the desperation and naivety of consumers. Illegal colonies are here to stay, but those who have built them should not be rewarded. Indeed, they should be penalised. As for the occupants of houses in built-up areas, even though the foundation of their houses rest on illegalities, now that these have become homes, some leniency may be allowed. The Cabinet should debate more on the Bill, pay heed to suggestions made by those few who have dared to protest, and work on improving the Bill so that it reflects a genuine concern for homeowners, without further empowering or even encouraging builders.