The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday gave go-ahead to introduce the Punjab Abadi Deh (Record of Right) Bill, 2021 in the ongoing budget session of Vidhan Sabha.
The move is aimed at helping the state government compile Record of Rights of properties within the Lal Lakir in the villages for the purpose of implementing Mission Lal Lakir (with the cooperation of Government of India under its SVAMITVA Scheme) and also to deal with the issues arising out of the rights accruing out of these properties. Besides, this legislation would also facilitate villagers/owners to monetise property rights and avail various benefits provided by Government departments/institutions and banks.
It may be recalled that at the time of settlement and consolidation of agricultural land in the state, the abadi in the village was placed within the Lal Lakir. No Record of Rights was prepared or created for the area within the Lal Lakir. Possession has been considered as the ruling point for the ownership of any land within the Lal Lakir. In certain cases, some registered sale deeds have taken place on the basis of Chulha Tax etc. However in most of the places, the ownership of the area within the Lal Lakir is usually passed on through an informal agreement etc. and the possession is the basis of ownership.
AMENDMENT TO VILLAGE COMMON LAND (REGULATION) ACT ALSO APPROVED
The Cabinet also accorded approval to amend Section 2 of Punjab Village Common Land (Regulation) Act 1961 to safeguard the vacant lands within Abadi Deh or Lal Lakir or Gorah Deh from illegal encroachment by inserting section 2(g)(1) and sub-section 4(a) after section 2(g)(4).
HEALTH & MEDICAL EDUCATION COMMON CADRE BIFURCATION GETS GO-AHEAD
In another decision, the Council Ministers approved the bifurcation of the common cadre of the departments of Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research.
The move is aimed at prompt resolution of disputes arising out of the establishment matters between these two departments through separation of controlling authority and rules of both the departments. Also, in line with the consensus emerged in Officers Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary on January 13, 2021, the Cabinet also gave approval to remove the posts of common cadre (Ministerial, Nursing and Para-Medical) of Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research departments from the purview of prevailing rules and allot these to the Medical Education & Research department.
ANTI RED TAPE BILL OKAYED FOR TABLING IN BUDGET SESSION
In a bid to eliminate Red Tapeism and promote effective administration of public affairs, the Cabinet also okayed the Punjab Anti Red Tape Bill to be tabled in the ongoing budget session of Vidhan Sabha for enactment.
Part of the government’s reforms agenda for improving delivery of services to public and ease of doing business to industry, the Bill contains provision to reduce the cost and burden of compliances on the citizens and businesses, through simplified, trust-based procedures that would expedite processes and make governance efficient. The Bill would be instrumental in improving the Governance Systems to help citizens and businesses by removing inefficiencies and Red Tape in the system.
It would also provide various measures for simplification of Government processes, Re-engineering Government System, reduction of compliance burden and removal of external intermediaries to bring a system which would promise to serve its citizens and business.