Punjab govt devising policy to use, sell prime property

[Naveed Yaseen]

LAHORE: The Punjab government is devising a policy to use or sell its prime property across the province, the Punjab government’s spokesman said on Wednesday. The Punjab government owns “a lot of land” at prime locations from which it is not extracting much value. In some instances space is even constrained for the relevant departments to effectively perform their functions. He said jails located in major cities were overpopulated but could not be expanded because of space congestion. Government offices were also creating problems for the citizens, he said, adding the provincial government was planning to relocate such offices, the value of which has reached their peak, to relatively less expensive and spacious places. He said the additional income would be used for public welfare. staff report

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Govt planning to sell idle property



Thursday, November 26, 2009
By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

THE Punjab government is planning to sell the redundant immovable properties it owned in a fair and transparent manner to generate resources for the welfare of the people.

A spokesman of the Punjab Privatization Board here on Wednesday said every paisa thus generated would be utilised for the benefit of people. The spokesman said this was being done to raise funds for financing socio-economic development in the areas like infrastructure, health and education and to provide fast cash to the government for reducing a large budget deficit, cut taxes and finance public spending.

The spokesman said that agriculture land in and around the cities would be used for green houses and tunnel farming. Similarly, rightsizing of official residences including Governor’s House, Commissioner Houses and District Officers Houses would also be undertaken.

In addition, jails, agri-research centres and godowns located in the city limits will be relocated and suitable land will be provided for this purpose.

He said that there was prime state land available for foreign investors for industrial projects, housing and farming schemes.

The spokesman further said that the entire process of sale of the state land would be fair and transparent and free of favouritism. He said that the process of sale would be duly publicised on cable, print media, banners/posters and websites.

He said that the properties would be sold through district committees and the limits of regional committees in this regard. He said that the Punjab Privatization Board would also advertise the sale process.

He said that all information in this regard would be made available online and e-servicing for ensuring easy access to the masses.

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