Unauthorized colonies in Punjab to be regularized; Cabinet approves amendment to Rule 31

August 22, 2026

The Punjab government has taken a significant decision to provide relief to thousands of families living in unauthorized colonies across the state. In a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, approval was granted to amend Rule 31 of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (PAPR) Rules. The objective of this amendment is to make the process of regularizing eligible unauthorized colonies easier and more transparent than before.

Colonies with 25% development to be eligible

According to the newly amended rules, unauthorized colonies where construction has taken place on at least 25 percent of the plots will be eligible for regularization. Applications can be submitted through the colony’s promoter or the respective Resident Welfare Association (RWA).

Areas where new rules will apply

According to the Punjab government, this amendment will apply to eligible colonies developed on agricultural land within notified local planning areas and master plan areas. However, plots falling under the GMADA regional plan will remain outside the scope of this policy.

Deadline for applications set

The Punjab government has set September 30, 2026, as the deadline for submitting applications for regularization. Notably, unauthorized colonies whose applications were previously rejected under earlier regularization policies will now be able to re-apply under the amended rules.

Provisional certificate within 30 days

The Punjab government has also decided to make the process time-bound. A provisional regularization certificate will be issued within 30 days for applications submitted with complete and correct documentation. Meanwhile, a target has been set to finalize all applications within six months.

Provision for regularization fees

Under the amended rules, a compounding fee of 5 percent of the applicable collector rate on the colony’s total area has been fixed for residential and industrial colonies. For commercial colonies, a fee of 10 percent of the applicable commercial collector rate will be charged. Direct Benefit for Plot Owners

Upon the issuance of a provisional regularization certificate and the payment of the prescribed fee, individual plot owners will be able to apply for the regularization certificate for their plots. Furthermore, they will be eligible to obtain building construction approval in accordance with existing building bylaws and to register their plots.

Responsibility of RWAs and Promoters

If the application is submitted through a Resident Welfare Association (RWA), certain provisions of RERA will not apply. However, the promoter or RWA must obtain the necessary approvals and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the concerned departments and complete any pending development works within the stipulated timeframe.

Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the government has decided to provide relief to unauthorized colonies where at least 25 percent of the plots have been developed. He informed that applications can be submitted until September 30, 2026, and applications that were previously rejected will also be considered eligible under the revised rules.