{"id":62855,"date":"2026-03-31T17:12:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T11:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/punjabenews.com\/English\/?p=62855"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:12:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T11:42:14","slug":"cabinet-approves-major-amendments-on-leasehold-to-freehold-industrial-infrastructure-management-sanjeev-arora","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/punjabenews.com\/English\/punjab\/cabinet-approves-major-amendments-on-leasehold-to-freehold-industrial-infrastructure-management-sanjeev-arora\/","title":{"rendered":"Cabinet Approves Major Amendments on Leasehold to Freehold &#038; Industrial Infrastructure Management: Sanjeev Arora"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Punjab Government Announces Landmark Industrial Reforms<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Chandigarh News (March 31, 2026):<\/span> Cabinet Minister for Industries &amp; Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power and Local Government, Sanjeev Arora, announced that the Government of Punjab has approved path-breaking reforms in the policy for conversion of leasehold industrial plots and sheds to freehold, along with a comprehensive rationalisation of post-allotment services for freehold plot holders.<\/p>\n<p>These reforms, formulated after extensive consultations with industry stakeholders and recommendations of the Group of Ministers, reaffirm the Government\u2019s commitment to strengthening Ease of Doing Business and building a transparent, investor-centric industrial ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Major Reform: Leasehold to Freehold Conversion<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Highlighting key decisions, Sanjeev Arora stated:<br \/>\nConversion fee fixed at only 5%<br \/>\n100% exemption on stamp duty for conversions completed up to April 30, 2026<br \/>\nSignificant relief through remission of charges where unearned increase clause is not applicable<br \/>\nOne-time fee structure replaces recurring charges in select cases<br \/>\nAnnual renewal charges discontinued for several services<br \/>\nTo promote faster conversion and clear legacy issues:<br \/>\nTime-bound disposal of pending transfer and conversion cases<br \/>\nOne-time stamp duty waiver to encourage early conversion<br \/>\nSimplified documentation:<br \/>\nBank letter sufficient in case of mortgaged lease deeds<br \/>\nClarity on Unearned Increase Clause<br \/>\nAddressing a long-standing industry concern, the Minister clarified:<br \/>\nNo unearned increase will be charged:<br \/>\nWhere clause is not present in title documents<br \/>\nIn family transfers, inheritance, or death cases<br \/>\nWhere plots already converted to freehold prior to notification<br \/>\n\u201cThis brings long-awaited clarity and protects industrialists from unjustified financial liability,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Major Ease of Doing Business Reforms (PSIEC)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In a transformational move:<br \/>\nServices reclassified into Mandatory and Optional categories<br \/>\n18 services shifted from Mandatory to Optional<br \/>\nNotarised affidavits replaced with self-declarations<br \/>\nPowers delegated to Estate Officers for faster approvals<br \/>\n\u201cThis significantly reduces compliance burden and makes freehold conversion highly advantageous for industry,\u201d Arora said.<\/p>\n<p>Punjab Common Infrastructure (Regulation &amp; Maintenance) Amendment Bill, 2026<br \/>\nThe Cabinet has also approved a landmark amendment to modernise industrial infrastructure governance.<br \/>\nKey Highlights:<br \/>\n1. Unified &amp; Transparent Infrastructure Management<br \/>\nUniform mechanism for operation &amp; maintenance of all industrial areas<br \/>\nCovers:<br \/>\nIndustrial focal points<br \/>\nIndustrial estates<br \/>\nIndustrial clusters (including those outside notified parks)<br \/>\n2. Major Financial Relief to Industry<br \/>\nService charges to subsume property tax in municipal areas<br \/>\nEliminates double taxation<br \/>\nSimplifies compliance and reduces financial burden<br \/>\n3. Innovative Collection Mechanism<br \/>\nService charges to be collected through electricity bills<br \/>\nCollection by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL)<br \/>\nBenefits:<br \/>\nImproved compliance<br \/>\nReduced leakage<br \/>\nSeamless and transparent collection system<br \/>\n4. Industry-Led Governance through SPVs<br \/>\nSpecial Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to be:<br \/>\nRegistered under Societies Registration Act, 1860<br \/>\nLed by industrial stakeholders<br \/>\nGovernance Structure:<br \/>\n7-member elected Executive Committee from industrial allottees<br \/>\nGovernment officials for coordination and oversight<br \/>\nClear accountability and professional management<br \/>\n5. Strong Financial Framework<br \/>\n90% funds \u2192 SPVs for maintenance<br \/>\n10% funds \u2192 Competent Authority for infrastructure upgrades<br \/>\nMandatory Corpus Fund for future development<br \/>\nCap on administrative expenses to ensure efficient utilisation<br \/>\n6. Accountability &amp; Oversight<br \/>\nGovernment empowered to:<br \/>\nAudit and supervise SPVs<br \/>\nSupersede non-performing SPVs if required<br \/>\nEmpowering Industry &amp; Strengthening Punjab\u2019s Growth<\/p>\n<p>Sanjeev Arora emphasised:<br \/>\n\u201cThese landmark reforms reflect our Government\u2019s clear vision \u2014 to empower industry, reduce compliance burden, and create a modern, transparent, and self-sustaining industrial ecosystem. Punjab is committed to providing the most competitive and investor-friendly environment in the country.\u201d<br \/>\nKey Takeaways<br \/>\nMassive financial relief for industrialists<br \/>\nSimplified conversion from leasehold to freehold<br \/>\nReduced compliance and faster approvals<br \/>\nIndustry-led infrastructure management<br \/>\nStrong push towards Ease of Doing Business<br \/>\nPunjab Means Business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Punjab Government Announces Landmark Industrial Reforms Chandigarh News (March 31, 2026): Cabinet Minister for Industries &amp; Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power and Local Government, Sanjeev Arora, announced that the Government of Punjab has approved path-breaking reforms in the policy for conversion of leasehold industrial plots and sheds to freehold, along with a comprehensive rationalisation of post-allotment [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":62856,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest","category-punjab"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - 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