The Punjab Government has halted the registration of properties situated in unauthorized colonies unless a no-objection certificate (NOC) is obtained from relevant civic authorities and the Housing Department. This decision follows a recent ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which mandated the necessity of an NOC for such registrations. Despite multiple attempts to reach him, Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian has not provided any comments on the matter. Previously, the Housing Department had permitted the registration of plots up to 500 square yards in these unauthorized areas without requiring an NOC, a policy that was facilitated by an amendment to the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995. This amendment, which introduced Sub-Section (5) to Section 20, allowed for a temporary exemption from the NOC requirement until August 2025, starting from December 1, 2024. The High Court’s directive was issued in response to a public interest litigation filed by Ludhiana resident Prem Prakash, compelling the state to adhere to Section 20 (3) of the Act. A senior government official indicated that the state has requested additional time to respond to the court’s order. Nevertheless, the government has enacted the amended legislation, stipulating that any agreements, power of attorney, or similar documents executed by parties before July 31, 2024, would allow for the registration of sale deeds, even if the plots are located in unauthorized colonies. Gurvinder Singh Lamba, president of the Punjab Colonisers and Property Dealer Association, emphasized the need for the government to address the concerns of numerous property owners who registered their sale deeds during the waiver period. He urged the government to clarify the status of NOC requirements for plots purchased prior to the amendment and to provide guidance on properties located within municipal limits.
The government has halted the registration of plots lacking a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
