Three-month window to register plots in unauthorised colonies

The Punjab Government today gave a three-month window, beginning December 1, for registration of plots in unauthorised colonies without the no-objection certificate (NOC).

Now, any property holders having power of attorney or agreement to sell stamp papers or a registered document with respect to the title of the land till July 31, 2024, can get their property registered with the sub-registrar or joint sub-registrar.

The waiver to hundreds of plot holders has come days ahead of the conduct of civic body polls to five Municipal Corporations and 42 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats.

In a detailed set of guidelines issued on Monday, Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Rahul Tewari, said the three-month window from December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025, would applicable to properties located in the area governed by the Urban Housing and Local Bodies Departments. The guidelines have been issued under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The waiver is subject to condition that the plot did not fall in unauthorised development raised in restricted area along scheduled roads and national highways; does not contravene provisions of the respective master plans and does not fall in the eco-sensitive zones covered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

Besides, subsequent sale deeds of such plots will be allowed in the future, subject to the condition that such property can be sub-divided.

However, there’s a catch here. The benefit has been extended for plots up to 500 sq yard only, leaving in lurch those having higher size plots. There are different sizes of plots in such colonies. Giving civic amenities to those with smaller size plots and leaving others is being questioned, as the essential services are to be laid in such colonies.