‘Govt to encourage housing schemes with master plans’

LAHORE:Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said that instead of unplanned construction, the government would encourage housing schemes having master plan and Spatial Planning Authority for the housing sector will prove to be a revolutionary step. He expressed these views while chairing a meeting at the Civil Secretariat on Friday.

Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) Nabeel Javed, Secretary Local Govt Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Secretary Housing also attended the meeting. LDA Director General and DG Punjab Land Record Authority briefed the meeting. The regulation of housing schemes was also reviewed thoroughly during the meeting.

The provincial minister said that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz wanted maximum convenience for the people. “The chief minister will herself look into the matters of the Spatial Planning Authority to bring transparency in the matters of the housing sector”, he noted. He said that Planning Support System (PSS) is being introduced in 32 districts of Punjab. “Under preview of PSS permission will be required before starting any housing schemes or all government projects in green areas”.

Zeeshan Rafiq said that unnecessary NOCs required for private housing schemes will be eliminated. “All records of housing schemes will be available on the dashboard”, he said. He expressed his determination to make the transfer of plots 100 percent transparent. “Map and plot details will be visible through QR codes”, he remarked.

The minister said that the work is in progress to launch franchise services for the issuance of land to individuals. “It is likely to start in March and citizens will no longer need to go to the Patwari of the area”, he pledged.