Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab Cabinet approves new building bylaws, cuts stamp duty to boost urban development, industry
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 28, 2025: The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Tuesday approved the Punjab Unified Building Rules, 2025, aimed at simplifying construction norms and promoting planned urban development across the state.
The new rules create a single, uniform framework for all building and development activities under both the Housing & Urban Development Department and the Local Government Department.
Key reforms include:
- Increasing the height limit for low-rise buildings from 15 to 21 metres.
- Allowing third-party self-certification for faster approvals.
- Limiting scrutiny of high-rise projects to essential safety checks.
- Permitting extra ground coverage and FAR on payment basis.
- Relaxing parking and open space requirements.
- Bringing EWS, Affordable, and Rental Housing under one set of rules.
- Allowing wider balconies, basement use, and car lifts.
Officials said these measures will encourage vertical growth, reduce approval delays, and make Punjab more attractive for investors and developers.
In another key decision, the Cabinet approved reducing stamp duty and registration fees on business loans by amending the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (Punjab). Now, only 0.25% stamp duty on the total loan amount (capped at ₹5 lakh) will be charged, and the registration fee for equitable mortgages has been reduced from ₹1 lakh to ₹1,000.
This move is expected to ease the financial burden on industries, especially MSMEs, and improve Punjab’s ease of doing business.
The Cabinet also approved the Punjab Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Counselling, and Rehabilitation Rules, 2025, to strengthen the regulation and monitoring of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in the state.