Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister, S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, today stated that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has prepared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the process of issuing licenses for the development of colonies with the aim of encouraging the real estate sector.
Giving more details in this regard, S. Mundian said that the Housing and Urban Development Department has prepared a Standard Operating Procedure for the process of issuing licenses for developing colonies in the areas under its jurisdiction. This SOP primarily divides the process into two stages: issuing the Letter of Intent (LOI) (30 days) and issuing the license (30 days), setting a total timeframe of 60 days from the date of application receipt by any development authority. He explained that it was observed that the process of issuing licenses for the development of colonies by the department was quite complex and lengthy, leading to unnecessary delays in issuing licenses to promoters by various development authorities working under the department. Keeping this in mind, the department has prepared this new SOP regarding the license issuance process. According to this, in the future, licenses will be issued to promoters by the concerned development authority within 60 days of submitting the application.
S. Mundian further stated that according to the SOP, the entire process of issuing licenses has been made time-bound. Now, every branch working on any case, such as Planning, Accounts, Licensing, etc., and various departments such as PPCB, PSPCL, Forest Department, Drainage, NHAI/PWD, etc., have been given clear timelines for disposing of cases. Every employee will be required to adhere to this timeline, and disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned employee in case of unnecessary delays. He further added that the Mann government has already taken several steps keeping in mind the contribution of the real estate sector to the state’s economy and its importance in job creation. Now, the simplification of the licensing process will reduce the difficulties faced by promoters and boost the real estate sector in the state.
