Punjab Revenue and Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardip Singh Mundian on Wednesday asked all the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to ensure strict compliance of the provision of no NOC (No Objection Certificate) for the registration of plots.

The Minister, in a letter to the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, has unequivocally said that the historic Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2024, is to do away with the practice of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for registration of land deeds. “Punjab Assembly has given consent to this bill on September 3 after which the Governor had passed it and subsequently the State Government had issued notification in this regard,” he said.

He said that this amendment is aimed at ensuring stringent control over the illegal colonies besides giving relief to the small plot holders. As per notification of the Housing Department, people can avail the benefit of this historic act from December 1, 2024, till February 2025.

In this regard, the state Revenue Department has issued an official letter to all the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of all districts and sent a copy of the notification issued by the Urban Development and Housing Department, instructing them to follow it.

“This is a major reprieve for the common man as it aims to overcome the problem being faced by the general public in the registration of their plots and to put a check on the development of unauthorized colonies. This stipulates provisions of penalty and punishment to offenders,” he said, adding that it is a historic decision aimed at ensuring the well-being of the common man.

As per the amendment, any person who up to July 31, 2024, for an area up to 500 square yards, situated in an unauthorized colony, has entered into a power of attorney, agreement to sell on stamp paper, or any other such document will not require any No Objection Certificate for registration of land, the Minister clarified.

The Minister added that the officers must ensure meticulous compliance with these orders of the State Government so that the public does not face any harassment.