Anil Bhardwaj
Chandigarh/Mohali, March 6
Reiterating the Punjab government’s commitment, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to ensure planned urban development and providing world-class facilities to the public, Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardip Singh Mundian directed departmental officials to establish new urban estates in various cities of the state.
While reviewing the work of development authorities and the Department of Town and Country Planning at PUDA Bhavan, Mohali, today, Mundian instructed officials to work with full dedication and integrity. He directed them to set up new urban estates not only in major cities but also in smaller towns and to acquire land as needed. This initiative aims to provide affordable housing to people and prevent them from being forced to buy property in unauthorized colonies.
Mundian emphasized that the government’s objective is to provide timely and corruption-free services to the public. He warned that negligence by any official would not be tolerated, urging all officials, from junior to senior levels, to perform their duties responsibly and honestly.
While reviewing properties under the jurisdiction of development authorities, Mundian ordered officials to conduct e-auctions for properties starting next week, enabling people to purchase property for housing or business purposes. He stressed that the auction process must be conducted transparently and impartially. Additionally, he discussed defaulted projects and instructed strict action against defaulters.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed master plans and local planning areas notified by the department for urban development across the state.
Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Development Vikas Garg directed officials to implement the government’s policy of reducing public inconvenience. He urged them to work towards bringing all remaining offline services online in addition to the current digital services provided by the department.
The meeting was attended by Special Secretary Apneet Riyat, PUDA CA and Director of Town and Country Planning Neeru Katial Gupta, GAMADA CA Vishesh Sarangal, GLADA CA Sandeep Kumar, PDA-cum-BDA CA Manisha Rana, JDA-cum-ADA CA Nitesh Kumar Jain, and other senior officials from development authorities.
