CABINET APPROVES NEW BUILDING BY-LAWS, APPROVAL OF LAY OUT PLANS WILL BE CORRUPTION FREE: CM
RELAXATION IN RULES WILL SAVE LAKHS OF RUPEES OF PEOPLE
Chandigarh, October 28:In a major people friendly initiative aimed at giving fillip to urban development and industrialisation, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday gave nod to Punjab Unified Building Rules, 2025.
A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of Council of Ministers held here under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that a this act aims to introduce a comprehensive and uniform regulatory framework governing building and development activities across Punjab. These Rules apply equally to the Department of Housing & Urban Development and the Department of Local Government, ensuring consistency and simplification in approvals and enforcement. The key reforms focus on ease of doing business, efficient land utilization, and vertical urban growth.
This act stipules raising the permissible height for low-rise buildings from 15m to 21m and enabling third-party self-certification for plan approval and completion. Limiting scrutiny for high-rise projects to essential safety parameters, thereby reducing delays. Allowing additional ground coverage and FAR on payment basis, and relaxing parking, setback, and open space norms.
Likewise, it also includes Incorporating EWS, Affordable, and Rental Housing provisions within a single unified framework. Introducing new building categories such as Mixed Land Use and Multilevel Parking, aligning with modern urban needs. Permitting wider balconies, basement use, car lifts, and exemptions from on-site STP where city-level facilities exist. These reforms represent a progressive step towards sustainable, investor-friendly, and standardized building regulation across Punjab.
OKAYS RATIONALISATION OF STAMP DUTY AND REGISTRATION FEE ON INSTRUMENTS OF HYPOTHECATION AND EQUITABLE MORTGAGE
Likewise, the Cabinet also gave approval for Rationalisation of Stamp Duty and Registration Fee on Instruments of Hypothecation and Equitable Mortgage by Amending the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (Punjab) and Registration Fee Rules. This step is a progressive and business-friendly initiative aimed at reducing financial burden on industries. It also promotes ease of doing business and improves access to affordable credit besides enhancing Punjab’s competitiveness and overall economic environment.
GIVES CONCURRENCE TO PUNJAB SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT AND COUNSELLING AND REHABILITATION RULES 2025
The Cabinet also gave its concurrence to the Punjab Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Counselling and Rehabilitation Centres Rules, 2025, replacing the existing 2011 Rules and First Amendment Rules, 2020, to strengthen regulation of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres across Punjab. These rules overcomes the shortcomings in 2011 rules and subsequent amendments in the 2020 to regulate 36 Government and 177 licensed private de-addiction centres, along with OOAT clinics. It will help in Strengthening licensing, renewal, and inspection processes, Biometric attendance and mandatory online data reporting, Penal provisions for non-compliance or minor deficiencies, Revised infrastructure, staff, and record-keeping standards and Secure and transparent dispensing of Buprenorphine–Naloxone.
APPROVES FILLIP UP OF MORE THAN 100 POSTS IN SPORTS DEPARTMENT
The Cabinet also approved Filling up of 14 Group-A, 16 Group-B and 80 Group-C posts in the Punjab Sports Medical Cadre to strengthen sports medical support system across districts. It will also help in Improving injury management, recovery, and performance of sportspersons along with Promotion of scientific sports development and alignment with national standards. These professionals will be deployed in major sports districts such as Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fazilka, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, SAS Nagar, Ropar, and Hoshiarpur, where the concentration of players is higher.
APPROVAL TO ALLOT LAND FOR SETTING UP 100 BEDDED ESI HOSPITAL AT DERA BASSI
In order to provide quality and affordable healthcare to employees working in factories and industrial units of Dera Bassi and nearby areas, the Cabinet also gave nod to lease around four acres of land for setting up 100 bedded ESI hospital in Dera Bassi. At present, employees in Dera Bassi and adjoining industrial zones rely on ESI facilities located in Ludhiana, Mohali, and Chandigarh, which are insufficient to meet the growing healthcare demand. This step will reduce the patient load on existing ESI hospitals and promote industrial welfare and social security in Punjab’s key industrial belt.
GREEN SIGNAL TO CREATE SUB TEHSIL LUDHIANA NORTH
These Cabinet also gave its approval to create Sub-Tehsil Ludhiana (North) for improving administrative efficiency and public convenience in urban areas of District Ludhiana. It will facilitate Quicker mutation and registry processing for high-density urban villages. It will also help in Decongestion of Ludhiana (East/West) tehsils and improved citizen convenience through optimal use of existing infrastructure.
BARNALA MUNICIPAL COUNCIL TO BE UPGRADED AS MUNICIPAL CORPORATION
The Cabinet also gave go ahead to upgrade the existing Municipal Council, Barnala to a Municipal Corporation, enabling planned urban growth, improved civic infrastructure, and efficient governance for the rapidly expanding district headquarters city. This will help in strengthening the urban governance and infrastructure and enhancing service delivery and quality of life for residents.
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PUNJAB WITNESSES RECORD DECLINE IN INCIDENTS OF PADDY STRAW BURNING TILL NOW: CM
ASSERTS PUNJAB IS BEING DEFAMED FOR PADDY STRAW BURNING AS A PART OF PLANNED CONSPIRACY
CLEAR THE MIST OVER INTENT OF SIR: CM TO EC
SLAMS CENTRE FOR STEP MOTHERLY TREATMENT WITH PUNJAB
Chandigarh, October 28:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that as several political parties are raising objections over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being undertaken by the Election Commission of India, so the constitutional body must clear the mist over it.
Interacting with the media persons here today, the Chief Minister said that the actions of the ECI, particularly the SIR, should not appear to be vote theft aimed at muzzling the voice of democracy. He said that rather than being a mute spectator, the ECI should pay heed to the objections being raised by the opposition and clarify them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ECI is duty bound to give reply to all the concerns being raised by the various political parties so that public faith in democracy is strengthened.
Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said that as a part of planned conspiracy, Punjab is defamed for pollution in the national capital on pretext of stubble burning whereas the reality is completely different. He unequivocally said that around 90 Lakh Metric Ton (LMT) of the crop is yet to come in the grain markets so where has the stubble burning took place in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those blaming Punjab for pollution in Delhi forget that Haryana falls between state and national capital whereas they don’t name it for this chaos.
The Chief Minister categorically asked the leaders why the AQI of Delhi is so poor nowadays whereas paddy straw burning is not taking place in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the food growers of Punjab are being defamed whereas no alternative is being offered by centre adding that the Prime Minister can ensure cease fire at international level but is least bothered about this major issue involving several states. He bemoaned that despite the fact Punjab is contributing 170 LMT of paddy in the national pool irrespective of the flood fury, the centre never appreciates this.
The Chief Minister slammed the Union government for meting out step motherly treatment with the state especially in this hour of grave crisis. He said that the state is yet to receive Rs 1600 crore announced by the Prime Minister for the flood relief adding that to aggrieve the situation the centre government is trying to adjust the funds from other ongoing schemes in this too. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Union government should stop this maltreatment with the state which is the food bowl and the sword arm of the country.
On another query, the Chief Minister said that despite several attempts he has not been able to meet the Prime Minister as he is apparently busy in electioneering in Bihar. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he wanted to flag the issues of floods before the Prime Minister along with extending invitation to him for the events to commemorate 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. However, he said that as the Prime Minister is busy in Bihar, they are even ready to visit the poll bound state and meet him there so that the issues of state can be highlighted.
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FOR THE FIRST TIME NUMBER OF COPS TO CROSS ONE LAKH MARK IN PUNJAB: CM
INAUGURATES SIX-DAY CERTIFIED INVESTIGATOR COURSE FOR PUNJAB POLICE INVESTIGATION OFFICERS
ASSERTS THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT IS VITAL FOR COMPLETELY WIPING OUT CURSE OF DRUGS FROM STATE
Patiala, October 28:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that in order to deftly maintain law and order in the state, the number of personnel in the Punjab Police will for the first time cross the figure of one lakh as the state government has embarked on a massive recruitment drive for it.
Addressing the gathering during the launch of six-day Certified Investigator Course for Punjab Police investigation officers, the Chief Minister said that in the year 2000, the strength of Punjab Police was 80,000, and it remains almost the same even today. He said that this despite the fact the challenges and problems faced by the Punjab Police has enhanced manifolds adding he bemoaned that none of the successive governments had ever bothered about this thing. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this number will be enhanced soon as the state government is already carrying on massive recruitment drives in the state adding the number will soon touch one lakh.
The Chief Minister said that today a new and significant initiative is being undertaken today and a total of 730 investigating officers will participate in this six-day training workshop. He said that detailed information will be shared about taking strict action against drug traffickers and smugglers under the NDPS Act. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is essential to train police officers to deal with criminals who are adopting new and advanced techniques.
The Chief Minister said that in the past, traffickers were arrested, but they often managed to escape punishment by taking advantage of legal loopholes. Likewise, he said that earlier there used to be heavy political interference, which helped traffickers get released, but now such interference has completely ended. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is also in close coordination with the Central Government and with the enforcement of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replacing the IPC, several legal procedures have changed, making this training even more important.
The Chief Minister said that preservation of evidence and staying updated with the evolving legal framework are now essential responsibilities of the officers for which they need to be equipped with emerging techniques. He said that although investigating officers perform their duties with sincerity, sometimes the accused escape conviction by exploiting legal technicalities and the blame comes on the police. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Police have been given a free hand to act against the criminals and lawbreakers adding that no one will be allowed to take the law in their own hands.
The Chief Minister said that the officers who perform exceptionally well will be specially honored on solemn occasions such as Republic Day and Independence Day. Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to wipe out the curse of drugs, he said that Yudh Nasheyan Virduh has already broken the backbone of this menace. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the fight against drugs requires a massive public movement for which citizens must stand hand to hand with the police in this battle.
The Chief Minister said that after assuming the charge in office, the state government has strengthened the Police infrastructure in Punjab. He said that since drones are being used to smuggle drugs across the border, an advanced anti-drone system has been launched. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is vital to engage the youth in employment, sports, and other constructive activities as part of our war against drugs, for which concerted efforts have been made.
The Chief Minister said that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop but those who remain occupied with productive work do not fall into bad company. He said that to ensure strict oversight of private de-addiction centers and prevent the misuse of medicines used in drug rehabilitation, a new law has been passed by the Cabinet today. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the investigating officers receiving this training will gain valuable new experiences as this new initiative has been launched today.
The Chief Minister said that through this course, supervisory and investigating officers will be provided with professional expertise in handling drug-related cases under the NDPS Act, ensuring that drug traffickers do not escape the clutches of law. He said that during the training, Police officers will be familiarized with the required procedures, legal aspects, and technical nuances essential for the effective investigation of drug-related crimes. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that at this Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, 27 batches of Police officers will undergo this training.
The Chief Minister said that these officers will gain specialized skills in case preparation and prosecution against drug traffickers in court to ensure that offenders are duly convicted. He said that during the training, officers will be trained to identify behavioral changes in individuals affected by drug abuse, understand the mindset of drug traffickers, and study the various dimensions of crimes linked to substance abuse. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that this training will equip officers with advanced professional skills, empowering them to secure convictions for offenders involved in drug-related crimes.
On the occasion Cabinet Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and others were also present.-------------