RELAXATION IN RULES WILL SAVE LAKHS OF RUPEES OF PEOPLE
Punjab E News (Pawan Dhupar): 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.
