Several key amendments were made to the industrial plot conversion policy by the Punjab council of ministers led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday, that allow conversion of industrial plots from leasehold to freehold and make room for other changes in the use of industrial plots.
The decision was announced Aman Arora, New and Renewable Energy Minister, who was flanked by the Punjab Industry Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond. The two claimed that the said decisions were a long time coming and that they would help earn the state government at least ₹1,000 crore.
As per the reform, those who seek conversion of industrial plots can now run hotels, hostels, convention centres and other commercial establishments on industrial plots of over 1,000 to 4,000 square yards.
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A spokesperson for the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said previous conversion policies introduced in 2008, 2016, and 2021 contained in restrictive provisions.
Amongst other amendments, the revised policy includes the application of a conversion charge of 12.5 per cent of the industrial reserve price; conversion of leasehold industrial plots and sheds into freehold properties, especially those managed by PSIEC; amendments to the MSE Facilitation Council Rule – 2021; and amendments to the Punjab Water Resources Department’s Junior Engineers Service Rules.
In line with the guidelines of the government of India, a new mechanism approved by the Punjab Cabinet will allow recovery of awards as arrears of land revenue under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887.
Additionally, while 15 per cent of junior engineer posts are reserved for promotions, only 10 per cent would be filled from among junior draftsmen, surveyors, etc. which is now set to change under the amendments in the Punjab Water Resources Department’s Junior Engineers (Group-B) Service Rules, with canal patwaris and revenue clerks with the required qualifications – of diploma/degree in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering – and experience will also be eligible.
Further, directorates of small savings, banking and finance, and lotteries will be merged into the Directorate of Small Savings, Banking, and Lotteries. DPED and DFREI are also set to merge to form the Directorate of Public Enterprises and Financial Resources.
Similarly, the Directorates of Treasury & Accounts, Pensions, and NPS will be merged into the Directorate of Treasury & Accounts, Pension, and NPS. This consolidation is projected to save the state approximately ₹2.64 crore annually, as per the CMO statement.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of nine new posts for the State SNA Treasury established in Chandigarh, in line with the government of India’s directives for Centrally Sponsored Schemes with approved positions of district treasury officer, treasury officer, two senior assistants, four clerks, and one peon.
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