Punjab local government minister Sanjeev Arora on Friday said a One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for improvement trusts had been reintroduced till April 30, 2026, offering a rebate of around 50% on non-construction fee (NCF) to provide significant financial relief to property owners.
Arora was announcing major initiatives and reforms aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure, improving service delivery and enhancing ease of living for citizens across the state.
He said house tax collection for FY 2025-26 has reached ₹600 crore, up from ₹500 crore in FY 2024-25, reflecting improved efficiency, transparency and better compliance in urban local bodies.
According to a press statement, special emphasis is being laid on ensuring pothole-free roads before the monsoon, using the latest technology for durable repairs.
The minister said repairs of 2,120 kilometres of roads were being taken up across municipal corporations and councils at a cost of ₹1,300 crore, with completion targeted by end of May 2026.
Additionally, the building plan approval process has been simplified and files will now be submitted to the commissioner only once instead of twice, significantly reducing processing time. “STP approvals will now be required only for plots of half an acre and above, instead of the earlier limit of 500 square yards,” he added.
To further expedite approvals, a single-window committee system has been introduced at the district and head office level, ensuring that all officers concerned grant approvals in one go, thereby eliminating delays.
The government is also undertaking modernisation of fire services with an investment of ₹131 crore, including procurement of advanced fire tenders and establishment of 13 new fire stations across the state.
The minister further informed that desilting of the entire sewerage network was being undertaken on priority and will be completed before the onset of the monsoon.
Wherever feasible, super suction machines are being deployed, with nine specialised vendors engaged for the task. Sewerage projects worth ₹450 crore have already been allotted across the state for FY 2025-26 and will be completed within the current financial year. Additionally, projects worth ₹700 crore will be allotted in the current quarter.
On water management, works worth ₹700 crore were allotted in FY 2025-26 for surface water projects, aimed at conserving groundwater and ensuring the supply of clean drinking water. Moreover, 30 Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) worth approximately ₹800 crore will be allotted in the current quarter.
