In a major decision aimed at providing long-awaited relief to thousands of residents living in unauthorised colonies across Punjab, the Punjab Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved an amendment to Rule 31 of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (PAPR) Rules to simplify the regularisation process for eligible unauthorised colonies across the State.
A decision to this effect was taken during the meeting of the Council of Ministers.
*Relief for Residents of Unauthorised Colonies*
Sharing the details, the Chief Minister’s Office said the amendment to Rule 31 will enable the regularisation of unauthorised colonies where at least 25 per cent of the plots have already been built upon. Applications for regularisation may be submitted either by the promoter of the colony or the Resident Welfare Association (RWA).
The amended provisions will also apply to eligible colonies situated within notified Local Planning Areas and on agricultural land earmarked under Master Plans, except those falling under the Regional Plan of GMADA. The last date for submission of applications under the amended Rule has been fixed as September 30, 2026. Unauthorised colonies whose applications were rejected under previous regularisation policies will also be eligible to apply under the amended Rule.
Complete applications will be issued provisional regularisation certificates within 30 days, while all applications received under the amended Rule will be disposed of by the competent authority within six months.
For regularisation of residential and industrial colonies, a compounding fee equivalent to five per cent of the prevailing collector rate on the gross area of the colony will be payable, while commercial colonies will attract a compounding fee equivalent to 10 per cent of the prevailing commercial collector rate.
After issuance of the provisional regularisation certificate and payment of the prescribed regularisation fee, individual plot holders will become eligible to obtain regularisation certificates for their respective plots and secure approvals in accordance with the prevailing building rules. Plot holders will also be able to register their plots after depositing the prescribed regularisation fee.
Where applications are submitted by Resident Welfare Associations, the provisions of RERA will not apply. However, the promoter or the RWA will be responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals and No Objection Certificates from the competent authorities and completing pending development works within the stipulated period.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Cabinet has decided to regularise unauthorised colonies where at least 25 per cent of the plots have already been built upon. “The Government has fixed September 30, 2026 as the last date for submission of applications. Even those unauthorised colonies whose applications were rejected under previous regularisation policies will now be eligible to apply under the amended Rule,” he said.
