Proposal To Mandate MLAs To Declare Their Immovable Properties By January Every Year Also Approved...

Chandigarh, February 8: Under the chairmanship of Captain Amarinder Singh, the Punjab Council of Ministers on Friday approved ‘The Punjab One-Time Voluntary Disclosure and Settlement of Violations of the Buildings Bill-2019’ for enactment in the budget session of the state assembly next week. The Bill had been drafted following the Cabinet’s approval on January 2, 2019 for all buildings constructed in violation of the building bylaws in municipal areas up to June 30, 2018.  

The enactment is aimed at ensuring that the unauthorized buildings that have come up over the years are aligned to the parking, fire and safety standards across the state since it is not feasible to demolish the same. This decision would also provide one-time opportunity to the violators within the municipal areas, who have made non-compoundable violations in the buildings, for regularisation without compromising on public safety/security and convenience.

Amritsar walled city regularization

In another decision, with the aim to provide a one-time opportunity for regularisation of unauthorized commercial establishments in the Galiara in the Holy city of Amritsar, the Council of Ministers approved amendment to Section 3 (1), 3 (2) and 5 of Amritsar Walled City (Recognition of usage) Act, 2016. The amendment, effective from March 1, 2019, would require the applicants to submit details of violations in the walled city of Amritsar for one-time settlement.

MLAs to declare immovable properties

Meanwhile, the Cabinet has also approved a proposal to make it mandatory for all MLAs to declare their immovable properties in January of every calendar year. The Cabinet approved the necessary amendment to Section 3-AAA in 'The Punjab Legislative Assembly (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Act, 1942' for this purpose, in line with the desire of the Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

According to an official spokesperson, the proposal would now be sent to Legal Remembrancer (LR) to prepare the draft of the Bill, which the Cabinet has authorized the Chief Minister to approved. It may be recalled that the Council of Ministers had on March 18, 2017 decided that all MLAs and MPs shall be required to declare their immovable properties as on January 1 every year. The cabinet had also decided that for the year 2017-18, this should be done by July 1, 2017.

CM authorised to approve Governor Address

The Council of Minister also authorized the Chief Minister to approve the draft Governor Address for the 7th session of 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, to l be addressed by the Governor on 12th February, 2019. After the Chief Minister's approval, the draft addressed would be forwarded to the Governor for final approval.