Chandigarh, Feb 5 (IANS): The Punjab government Thursday announced it had done away with the requirement to procure a no objection certificate (NOC) from the housing department or municipal authorities for registration of plot deeds in unauthorised residential and commercial developments in the state.

"Plot and building owners in unauthorised developments can now submit a self declaration averring they have submitted the necessary fee to regularise their property following which the sale deed of the same can be registered. This new system has been notified," a Punjab government spokesman said here.

The decision was taken by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal Thursday after the issue of long delays being experienced by the people to procure NOCs was brought to his notice by Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

"According to the present practice, people wanting to sell their plot or building in an unauthorised colony had to approach PUDA (Punjab Urbab Development Authority) or the concerned municipal corporation or committee to procure a NOC stating they have submitted the required fee to regularise their property.

"This NOC, which lists the amount paid by them including a receipt, is then submitted to the registration authority in case sale of the property has to be affected," the spokesman said.

Majithia had noted that complaints were received from the public that the procedure to acquire a NOC was cumbersome and often led to harassment of the applicants when they visited government offices.

"People are finding it difficult to acquire this document quickly because of the sheer volume of applicants," he said.

Badal said that the decision to do away with NOCs was part of the government's larger policy to make governance people-centric.

"I see no reason in not trusting our citizens and that is why we are going in for self declarations," he said.