Punjab to assign sanctioning powers to private architects

Architects will get to approve building plans of residential plots

The Punjab government has decided to assign sanction or approval of building plans to private architects in order to intensify its campaign to simplify various procedures, for grant of sanctions required for constructing a house, developing a colony, building an institute, a commercial venture or a mega project.

Secretary to the Punjab chief minister, S S Sandhu, said a panel of architects registered with Indian Council of Architecture with an experience of 10 years or more would be selected for this purpose. The architects on the panel would be authorised to sanction the building plans of residential plots measuring up to 500 yards. The sanctioning of building plans will continue to be governed by PUDA Building (Rules) Bylaws 1995. However, respective Estate Officers would continue to exercise grant approval of building plans and this is an option/facility offered to the allottees for their convenience and to avoid harassment to the public.

Section 2(m) of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995, authorises any person or authority appointed by the state government, by notification, to exercise and perform all or any of the power and functions of the competent Authority under this Act.

Allottees obtaining approval of their building plans, from the private architects on the panel, would be required to submit a copy of the approved plan to the Estate Office concerned at least one week before undertaking construction work at site. Estate Office (Enforcement Wing) will carry out periodical checks during the course of construction to ensure that building by laws are being adhered to. An architect found approving a building plan in contravention to the Building Bylaws would be liable to lose his empanelment.