By Amrit Pal Singh Sidhu
Bathinda, 02 May 2025
Bathinda MLA Jagroop Singh Gill met AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi last week to discuss key initiatives for Punjab's progress and briefed him about latest political situation of the state and the steps being taken by the Bhagwant Singh Mann government against the drug smugglers and the awareness campaign about the ill effects of the drug use.
Jagroop Singh Gill shared insights on the state's political landscape and efforts to combat drug smuggling. He also submitted a policy note to revitalize local bodies and address funding challenges, paving the way for transformative change in urban development.
Jagroop Singh Gill flagged various issues related with public interest, such as to bring out a policy for regularisation of buildings, which are not falling under category of encroachment of public land.
Jagroop Singh Gill while speaking with Amrit Pal Singh Sidhu said “To overcome funds crunch qua Local Bodies and also to meet the expectations of urban citizenry some policy initiatives can be taken up”.
Jagroop Singh Gill said that in all the major towns of Punjab, there has been building of houses and shops in violation of sanctioned plans mostly in context of violation of applicable building by laws - such as violation involving front and rear set-backs and construction of additional floors.
Jagroop Gill suggested “Since it would be near impossible to demolish these violations without public outcry and majority of these structures are at least decades old further these do not qualify as encroachment of public land, as a onetime relief to the urban citizenry and acknowledging the ground reality one time regularization policy can be brought in qua such structures”.
Additionally, Jagroop Gill brought attention to the fact that booths sold by local bodies, including Improvement Trusts and other Development Authorities under the Urban Development Department, have a Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) of 1:1, meaning that only the ground floor may be built.
Arvind Kejriwal was informed by Jagroop Gill that most sites are sold without roof rights. By raising the F.A.R. above 1:1, roof rights with the ability to build an extra first floor can be sold, subject to structural safety. This program can raise a significant amount of money because these booths are located in desirable areas of practically every city.
Taking up another important point, Jagroop Singh Gill told Arvind Kejriwal that “Numerous land acquisition cases are still ongoing throughout Punjab, and local bodies like Improvement Trusts under the Local Self-Government department and other development authorities under the Housing and Urban Development department have been embroiled in lengthy legal battles for a long time”.
MLA Gill said “This has caused the urban housing industry to be stifled, depriving the populace of the advantages of reasonably priced housing, which is the responsibility of these local authorities”.
Jagroop Singh Gill further said that the landowners whose property is being considered for acquisition are also having difficulties. Land pooling can be used as a solution to these problems, which benefits all government agencies, the populace, and the landowners involved in the dispute.
MLA Gill said “To resolve such issues recourse can be taken to land pooling, resulting into win-win situation for all the Government bodies, citizenry and the litigating land-owners”. This would put an end to the drawn-out and costly legal proceedings and create opportunities for the government to generate income.