Punjab Guv clears three Bills pending since winter session

Chandigarh: With Governor Banwarilal Purohit giving his assent to the three Bills, passed by the Vidhan Sabha during its winter session in November, the cash-strapped government hopes to rake in Rs 1,000 crore through the imposition of duties.

The Governor has given his go-ahead to the Registration (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023; Transfer of Property (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023; and Indian Stamps (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has thanked him, saying that these Bills were necessary to be enacted for the benefit of people.

Two of these – the Registration (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023; and Transfer of Property (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023 – will be sent for the President’s nod, while the third one will soon be notified, making it into a law.

The duties imposed through these Bills – imposition of new duties on making of power of attorneys, seeking bank loans through equitable mortgages and on hypothecation of vehicles – will start flowing into the coffers of the state.

Finance Minister Harpal Cheema told The Tribune that the money thus flowing in the state’s coffers would be used for providing more citizen-centric services. “There is no extra burden on the people. The money, being given to banks as charges, will now be coming to the state,” he said.