Chandigarh, July 3: Thousands of families across Punjab are set to receive official ownership rights following a major policy shift by the state administration. The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, approved a crucial amendment to Rule 31 of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Rules. This change modifies the regularisation framework, allowing unauthorized housing clusters to attain legal status if a quarter of their plots are already constructed. The new framework opens a vital window for families seeking basic civic amenities and structural security.
The adjusted policy aims to streamline what was previously a rigid process, opening doors even for residential pockets that faced rejection under earlier administrative drives. Promoters and local resident groups have been given a clear timeline to submit their applications, with the final deadline set for September 30, 2026. The state has committed to swift administrative processing, promising provisional certificates within a month of a complete application submission.
Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema shared details regarding the implementation timeline and structural changes. “The Government has fixed September 30, 2026 as the last date for submission of applications. Even those unauthorised colonies whose applications were rejected under previous regularisation policies will now be eligible to apply under the amended Rule,” the Minister affirmed. He also noted that the policy requires at least 25 per cent of the plots to be built upon to qualify for this relief.
Financially, the state has structured the compounding fees based on the nature of the development and prevailing collector rates. Residential and industrial hubs will incur a fee equivalent to five per cent of the current collector rate on the total area, while commercial establishments will see a ten per cent fee. Once these provisional certificates are issued and dues are cleared, individual property owners can legally register their plots and secure standard building plan approvals from local authorities.
