The Punjab Assembly passes law to govern unauthorized colonies

The Punjab State Assembly passed The Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2024 on September 3, 2024. Feel this legislation is needed as the problem of illegal colonies was assuming huge proportions in Punjab. An unauthorized area (usually a piece of land) on which houses and or buildings are constructed by people who do not have the required government permission, id known as illegal colony. The new legislation is aimed at strengthening regulation in these areas, and stopping illegal colonies from coming up.

Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Amendment 2024 

• The purpose of the amendment is effective control for illegal colonies and pave way for legal protection to small property owners.
• Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he was sure the law construct was a driver to common welfare, particularly in view of Punjab's record on unapproved settlements.
• Violations will incur penal reprocussions on those who try to construct or sell property in illegal colonies,
• This is a major step to check illegal property development in Punjab.
• The original Act, which was enforced in 1995, monitors the real estate activities of Punjab and mandates registration with the government by builders/developers while also setting guidelines for property transactions through a Regulatory Authority.