Shafaqna India: Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora on Friday announced extension of 50 per cent rebate on pending Non-Construction Fee (NCF) under the One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for Improvement Trusts till April 30, 2026.
He said house tax collection for the fiscal year 2025–26 has reached Rs 600 crore, up from Rs 500 crore in 2024–25.
Ruling out any increase in property tax slabs, the minister added that officials have been given targets to recover pending dues.
Highlighting urban infrastructure initiatives, Arora said that 2,120 km of roads are being developed across municipal corporations and councils at a cost of Rs 1,300 crore, with completion targeted by May-end 2026. He added that special emphasis is being laid on ensuring pothole-free roads before the monsoon using the latest repair technologies.
As part of ease-of-doing-business reform, the building plan approval process has been simplified. Files will now be submitted to the Commissioner only once instead of twice, reducing processing time. Further, STP approvals will now be required only for plots of half an acre and above, instead of the earlier limit of 500 square yards.
A single-window committee system has also been introduced at the district and head office levels to expedite approvals by ensuring that all concerned officers grant approvals in one go, thereby eliminating delays.
On emergency response systems, the government is undertaking modernisation of fire services with an investment of Rs 131 crore, including procurement of advanced fire tenders and the establishment of 13 new fire stations.
Arora also informed that desilting of the sewerage network is being undertaken on priority and will be completed before the onset of the monsoon. Super suction machines are being deployed where feasible, with nine specialised vendors engaged for the task.
He added that sewerage projects worth Rs 450 crore have already been allotted for 2025–26 and will be completed within the financial year. Additionally, projects worth Rs 700 crore will be allotted in the current quarter.
On water management, projects worth Rs 700 crore have been allotted for surface water systems aimed at conserving groundwater and ensuring clean drinking water supply. Moreover, 30 Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) worth approximately Rs 800 crore will be allotted in the current quarter.