Special courts to be set up in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, SBS Nagar, Moga, and Ludhiana to expedite NRI cases
To facilitate Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the Punjab cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of special fast-track NRI courts in six districts. These courts will be set up in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Moga, and Ludhiana to ensure the timely resolution of legal disputes involving NRIs, reported hindustantimes.com.
Cabinet clears EWS land monetization, infrastructure development, and acid victim aid increase
The Punjab cabinet also approved a policy for the optimal use of land reserved for economically weaker sections (EWS).
Scattered land parcels across various colonies will be monetized, and the revenue generated will be used for EWS welfare. The government plans to acquire 1,500 acres across the state for this initiative.
State development authorities will be authorized to manage these land parcels efficiently, ensuring optimal revenue generation through auctions while addressing urban planning needs.
Additionally, the cabinet approved a policy for utilizing external development charges (EDC) collected from promoters under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA). Under this new policy, 50% of EDC funds will be used to develop infrastructure within the periphery of townships, while the remaining 50% will go toward major state projects.
The cabinet also introduced an amnesty policy for allottees who failed to pay dues for plots or land allotted by PUDA and other Special Development Authorities.
Hike in aid for acid attack victims, rural chowkidar honorarium increased
The Punjab government has decided to rename the scheme for financial assistance to acid attack victims as the Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme of 2024. The revised scheme will now include male and transgender victims, with monthly financial aid increased from ₹8,000 to ₹10,000.
The cabinet also approved an increase in the monthly honorarium of rural chowkidars from ₹1,250 to ₹1,500, providing additional financial support to these village security personnel.
Rental housing policy revised, solar energy initiatives introduced
The cabinet revised the Rental Housing Accommodation Policy 2018, allowing rental housing projects in institutional zones under master plans, except for Mohali, Chandigarh, and New Chandigarh. The new guidelines permit construction to accommodate up to 1,000 students per acre, doubling the previous limit of 500. For student and senior citizen housing, parking allocations will be adjusted to accommodate two-wheelers at a ratio of one per three persons.
To promote renewable energy for agricultural use, the cabinet approved a pilot project for installing 200 solar-powered pumps. The Punjab government will fund 90% of the project, reiterating its commitment to providing free power to farmers while encouraging sustainable energy practices.
Paddy straw-based boilers and biomethanation plant approved
The Punjab cabinet also greenlit a ₹1-crore capital subsidy for setting up new paddy straw-based boilers and ₹50 lakh for upgrading existing ones. This initiative aims to help farmers earn additional income while addressing the issue of paddy straw disposal.
Additionally, the cabinet approved the establishment of an ultra-modern biomethanation plant in the industrial city, furthering the state’s renewable energy and waste management goals.
***********************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken a small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, running a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will make a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com