The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singhon Friday gave go-ahead to introduce the Punjab Abadi Deh (Record of Right)Bill, 2021 in the ongoing budget session of Vidhan Sabha.
The move is aimed at helping the state government compile Recordof Rights of properties within the Lal Lakir in the villages for the purpose ofimplementing Mission Lal Lakir (with the cooperation of Government of Indiaunder its SVAMITVA Scheme) and also to deal with the issues arising out of therights accruing out of these properties. Besides, this legislation would alsofacilitate villagers/owners to monetise property rights and avail variousbenefits provided by Government departments/institutions and banks.
It may be recalled that at the time of settlement andconsolidation of agricultural land in the state, the abadi in the village wasplaced within the Lal Lakir. No Record of Rights was prepared or created forthe area within the Lal Lakir. Possession has been considered as the rulingpoint for the ownership of any land within the Lal Lakir. In certain cases,some registered sale deeds have taken place on the basis of Chulha Tax etc.However in most of the places, the ownership of the area within the Lal Lakiris usually passed on through an informal agreement etc. and the possession isthe basis of ownership.
AMENDMENT TO VILLAGE COMMON LAND (REGULATION) ACT ALSO APPROVED
The Cabinet also accorded approval to amend Section 2 of PunjabVillage Common Land (Regulation) Act 1961 to safeguard the vacant lands withinAbadi Deh or Lal Lakir or Gorah Deh from illegal encroachment by insertingsection 2(g)(1) and sub-section 4(a) after section 2(g)(4).
HEALTH & MEDICAL EDUCATION COMMON CADRE BIFURCATION GETS GO-AHEAD
In another decision, the Council Ministers approved thebifurcation of the common cadre of the departments of Health & FamilyWelfare and Medical Education & Research.
The move is aimed at prompt resolution of disputes arising out ofthe establishment matters between these two departments through separation ofcontrolling authority and rules of both the departments. Also, in line with theconsensus emerged in Officers Committee meeting held under the chairmanship ofChief Secretary on January 13, 2021, the Cabinet also gave approval to removethe posts of common cadre (Ministerial, Nursing and Para-Medical) of Health& Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research departments from thepurview of prevailing rules and allot these to the Medical Education &Research department.
ANTI RED TAPE BILL OKAYED FOR TABLING IN BUDGET SESSION
In a bid to eliminate Red Tapeism and promote effectiveadministration of public affairs, the Cabinet also okayed the Punjab Anti RedTape Bill to be tabled in the ongoing budget session of Vidhan Sabha forenactment.
Part of the government’s reforms agenda for improving delivery ofservices to public and ease of doing business to industry, the Bill containsprovision to reduce the cost and burden of compliances on the citizens andbusinesses, through simplified, trust-based procedures that would expediteprocesses and make governance efficient. The Bill would be instrumental inimproving the Governance Systems to help citizens and businesses by removinginefficiencies and Red Tape in the system.
It would also provide various measures for simplification ofGovernment processes, Re-engineering Government System, reduction of complianceburden and removal of external intermediaries to bring a system which wouldpromise to serve its citizens and business.