Punjab government introduces single-window clearance for standalone projects
Applicants can now seek change of land use and building plan approvals simultaneously to improve the ease of doing business.
The Punjab government has introduced a single-window clearance system for standalone projects, allowing applicants to apply for change of land use (CLU) and building plan approvals at the same time, according to the Hindustan Times.
The department of housing and urban development published a notification in the Punjab government gazette on Thursday to implement this combined mechanism.
Under the previous rules, developers had to secure CLU permission before they could apply for building plan approval. The new process allows for a consolidated approval if all statutory and regulatory requirements are met.
Applicants using the combined route must submit all necessary CLU documents alongside building rule documents. The competent authority will review proposals against the master plan, regional plan, zoning, and siting requirements.
The government stated that land-conversion charges and other prescribed fees must be paid in a single lump sum before the combined approval is issued. This relaxation also applies to those with pending CLU applications.
The move follows recommendations from the Centre’s Phase-II compliance reduction and deregulation exercise to reduce regulatory burdens. The combined clearance does not exempt applicants from other mandatory permissions or no-objection certificates required under existing laws.