LUDHIANA: In a significant decision, the Punjab government has decided to regularize all encroachments on public land where the encroacher had already completed construction.
Announcing this at a press conference here on Saturday, the local bodies minister, Dr. Kewal Krishan, said that this decision has been taken in the national interest as demolishing construction on encroached land would mean a loss of crores of rupees spent on the buildings. However, various penalties would be levied and taxes realized in the regularization process,
The minister asserted that no fresh encroachments would be permitted in future. An encroached piece of land, where no construction has taken place so far, would be got freed from the usurper.
Dr. Kewal Krishan was here to preside over a regional conference on the development plans and problems of municipal committees of Ludhiana and Ropar districts. Officers from 16 municipal committees in the two districts participated.
The minister further announced that the practice of carrying night soil by human beings would be completely abolished in the state. The ten-thousand scavengers who would be rendered out of work would be adjusted in other jobs. It is proposed to construct 2,12 lakh latrines throughout the state for which people would be given subsidy at the rate of Rs 1,800 for each latrine which will cost Rs 12,800.
Dr .Kewal Krishan said that pilferage in octroi collection was being plugged which can increase the revenue 10 times. He ruled out levying of any new civic taxes or increase in exiting taxes.
A sum of Rs 63 crore will be givento95 municipal committees in the state for development this year. These committees earn Rs 300 crore every year but most of it is spent on establishment which should not be more than 40% of the income.
Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 7, 1992
