IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab Simplifies Property Registration, Cuts 35 Complex Terms

Representative AI image CHANDIGARH: In a move to enhance accessibility, the Punjab government has revamped property registration documents by substituting 35 complex revenue terms with simple Punjabi alternatives, making it easier for the public to navigate land and property transactions. Hardeep Singh Mundian, the Minister of Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management, announced this initiative on Sunday. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, the revisions aim to cultivate transparency, improve citizen engagement, and simplify government services. He noted that traditional terms in property registration often left everyday citizens perplexed. Following the Chief Minister’s directives, a special committee was established by…

CommercialLatest Stories

Chandigarh to e-auction 20 commercial properties in Manimajra

Representative AI image CHANDIGARH: The Municipal Corporation (MC) of Chandigarh plans to auction 20 commercial properties, including booths and showrooms, in Manimajra to enhance its revenue. A special committee has been set up to determine the reserve prices and finalize the terms for the property disposal. Sources indicate that approximately 80 commercial properties in Manimajra are currently vacant and will be auctioned in phases. The initial group of 20 properties will undergo e-auction following the committee’s assessment. The committee is evaluating multiple parameters to establish reserve prices, with the current collector rate being a significant factor. Bidders will be given…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Chandigarh Estate Office Doubles Revenue Recovery in FY26

CHANDIGARH: The UT estate office has seen a remarkable increase in revenue for the financial year 2025-26, collecting Rs 335.05 crore compared to Rs 164.5 crore in the previous year. This represents a growth of over Rs 170 crore, which is more than 103%, attributed to enhanced enforcement, digital improvements, and quicker resolution of pending cases. An official from the estate office revealed that significant advancements have been made in the revenue collection mechanisms over the last two years. Strategies included focused recovery drives, timely issuance of demand notices, expedited case resolutions, digitization of records, online payment options, and rigorous…

IndustryLatest Stories

Gillco Group to invest ₹800 crore in Mohali housing project

Representative AI image NEW DELHI: Gillco Group plans to invest ₹800 crore in the Gillco Meraqui residential project located in sector 126, Mohali, as announced by the company’s Managing Director, Tejpreet Singh Gill. The development will feature 444 apartments across six towers, promising a total revenue potential of approximately ₹2,300-2,400 crore. The company has opened sales for 250 apartments, investing around ₹400-450 crore. Expected sales from these units are estimated at ₹1,200 crore. Situated on 12 acres along PR-7 Airport Road, the project will offer 3+1 and 4+1 bedroom apartments, with starting prices around ₹4 crore and a rate of…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Can Chandigarh’s Roads Handle Its Growth?

Representative AI image CHANDIGARH: The Chandigarh administration’s initiative to revise the city’s development regulations brings to the forefront a crucial question highlighted in its own planning documents: Where will the increased traffic be accommodated? The proposed amendments to the Chandigarh Master Plan (CMP) 2031 aim to reshape the urban environment with elevated Floor Area Ratios (FAR), taller buildings, and mixed-use developments. Additionally, it includes converting reserved lands for commercial purposes. While the administration argues that these changes are essential for future housing and economic demands, an analysis of official planning documents and traffic studies uncovers a significant oversight: large-scale densification…

IndustryLatest Stories

Punjab Cabinet Approves Changes to Land Pooling Policy

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Cabinet has approved amendments to the state’s land pooling policy to provide enhanced benefits to landowners. During a meeting on Wednesday evening, the cabinet also agreed to waive facilitation charges for essential services such as birth and caste certificates in light of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema addressed the media on Thursday, announcing that landowners will now receive a commercial plot of 210 square yards for every acre of land contributed under the pooling policy, up from 200 square yards. As per the current policy, landowners are entitled…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Mohali: Suntech City Developer in ED Custody Over ₹172 Cr Case

MOHALI: A special court has placed realtor Ajay Sehgal in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for three days as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering case tied to the Suntech City project. The court granted the ED’s request for extended custodial interrogation, noting that new facts had come to light during the investigation, necessitating more in-depth questioning of the accused. Sehgal will be in ED custody from June 27 to June 29. The money laundering investigation originates from an FIR lodged at the Mullanpur police station on September 17, 2024, under allegations of cheating,…

IndustryLatest Stories

GoI reconstitutes Chandigarh clearance panels for major projects

CHANDIGARH: The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has reconstituted the State-Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority and the Expert Appraisal Committee for Chandigarh, initiating a new three-year term that will govern ecological oversight for upcoming urban developments. As the top regulatory body, this assessment authority is charged with granting or denying environmental clearances across various sectors in Chandigarh, including industrial, infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects. “The newly appointed administration guarantees that all proposed initiatives conform to established environmental standards,” stated a senior UT official. Formation of Statutory Authority This authority has been established under the legal frameworks of the…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Punjab Auctions Properties of VAT, GST Defaulters for Dues

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Friday that the state government has ramped up efforts to recover taxes from defaulters by initiating public auctions of properties owned by persistent VAT and GST evaders. “In a decisive move to recover long-overdue state revenue, the Department of Excise and Taxation has successfully carried out three major property auctions, reclaiming substantial amounts from businesses and individuals who have consistently neglected their tax obligations despite numerous opportunities and official legal notices,” he remarked. Detailing the initial successes of this enforcement initiative, the Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister stated that the first significant…

IndustryLatest Stories

Chandigarh Plan Changes to Boost Housing and Affordability

CHANDIGARH: Proposed changes to the Chandigarh Master Plan (CMP) 2031 could lead to substantial expansions in housing and mixed-use developments in the city. The UT administration aims to unlock large areas of vacant land and allow for higher-density construction. Officials believe these changes will address Chandigarh’s increasing housing demand, enhance affordability, and make home ownership more accessible for a broader segment of the population. A major element of the proposal includes nearly doubling the city’s mixed land use (MLU) area. The draft amendments also suggest raising the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and promoting vertical development in select zones. According to…