LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said that the Punjab government is going to introduce a new procedure for private housing project approval which will ensure the completion of the approval process within the specified timeline.

“There should be no unnecessary delay in the approval of housing schemes, as doors of corruption open due to late approval,” he said while presiding over a meeting of a special committee set up to draft proposals to regularise unplanned commercial use of agricultural lands. Co-convener of the committee and Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Advocate General Khalid Ishaq, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) Nabeel Javed, Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Punjab Housing Secretary, concerned officers and office bearers of Developers Association were also present. During the meeting, a briefing was given on Property Transfer System (PTS) software.

The minister observed that by regularising illegal housing schemes, the rights of citizens could be protected in a better way, adding that no scheme will be sanctioned in future without linkage with PTS. “The property will be registered only when the data is uploaded on PTS. Overselling of plots will become impossible due to this software,” he added.

He said that a new authority at the provincial level will be able to approve all master plans, adding that there should be no duplication in the work of development authorities, PHATA, Local Governments and RUDA across the province. “Keeping this aspect in mind, we are preparing a comprehensive law and suggestions are also being solicited from developers and other stakeholders in this regard,” he added.

While addressing the meeting, the Punjab Agriculture Minister directed the concerned officers that the definition of an illegal scheme should be clear. “From the platform of this committee, we will introduce reforms that will make it easier to define the responsibilities and scope of departments,” he said, adding that creating facilities for developers will also benefit the buyers.

The SMBR directed that comprehensive and easy features should be added to the PST.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024