(Chd,Pb)Capt Plays His Most Trusted Political Card “FREE”
Cabinet today stamped its formal approval on Various such schemes announced by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh earlier this month.
The CM had announced the free travel scheme in the Vidhan Sabha on March 5, as part of his government’s efforts to empower women and girls in the state.
The scheme will benefit over 1.31 crore women/girls across the state. As per Census 2011, Punjab has a population of 2.77 crores (males 1,46,39,465 and female 1,31,03,873).
Under the scheme, women residents of Punjab can avail free bus travel in Government-owned buses, including PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), Punjab Roadways Buses (PUNBUS) and City Bus Services operated by Local Bodies. However, the scheme is not applicable to Government-owned AC Buses, Volvo Buses and HVAC Buses. Documents like Aadhaar Card, Voter Card or any other proof of residence in Punjab would be required to avail the facility.
Further, all women who are family members of Punjab Government employees and residing in Chandigarh, or are themselves employees of Punjab Government but live in Chandigarh, can avail the benefit, irrespective of age and income criteria, of free travel in the said government buses.
Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday also gave the nod to the Punjab Urban Development Authorities Amnesty Scheme-2021 for recovery of outstanding installments.
The allottees, who were issued allotment letters based on draw of lots or auction or through some other process but have defaulted in payment of one or more installments due after December 31, 2013, may deposit the principal amount, along with scheme rate of interest, within three months from the date of notification under the amnesty scheme.
The cases where allotments have been cancelled due to default in installments or there is litigation on this count, where instalments were due after December 31, 2013, may also avail this scheme. These cases would be treated as if the cancellation was not done, and the forfeited amount would be treated as credited to the allottees’ accounts on the date of forfeiture. However, the scheme is not applicable where physical possession has been taken over by an authority.
Notably, a sum of Rs. 700 crore is outstanding against various allotees of residential plots, flats, commercial plots, institutional plots, industrial plots and chunk sites sold through draw of lots and auctions. As per prevalent instructions, penalty is imposed if a person defaults in payment of due installment on time, which varies from 3% to 5% per annum, in addition to scheme rate of interest depending on delay in terms of years. This penalty translates into net interest rate of up to 17% per annum, which is very high.