Punjab Govt. rolls out Flagship 'e-NAKSHA Online Building Plan Approval System'

Punjab govt. rolled out its flagship E-Naksha Online Building Plan Approval System (OBPAS) on 17 August 2018.

About OBPAS System :

• This will be a one-stop platform where all architects or citizens can submit drawings or documents for building plan approval.
• This will meet the demands of 165 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in addition to 27 Improvement Trusts.
• OBPAS would be a purely online platform and Navjot Sidhu(Minister Local Government) said that time frame of 1 and half months is given to sort out the technicalities w.r.t project. After which, no building plan will be allowed to be submitted manually.

Analysis :

• The state govt. is elected by the people which in turn is accountable to people. So, the state govt. is ensuring transparency through e-governance.
• Govt. is also focusing on modernization of infrastructure in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the state.
• With its operationalization, people would not have to make unnecessary rounds at the govt. offices to get their maps / drawings approved. This would save precious time and energy of general public and architects.
• Govt. will integrate with e-Governance portal as already mentioned in G2C objective.
• The next focus area of the state govt. is starting of e-CLU system. The previous regime had delegated the powers regarding CLUs to the committees and the corporations which had resulted in gross neglect of transparency factor.This initiative will bring in transparency and these citizen friendly services will save time and money of people.
• E-governance is a tool for increasing transparency, so this Project, a giant leap towards Progressive Punjab.
• The success of the project would also result in the 100 percent submission of the property and water tax which would strengthen the financial position of Punjab.
• With the cooperation of the people,the project would ensure to bring to the fore the transparency aspect which would ensure the filling up of the coffers of the state.

What is e-CLU system :

e-CLU is an e-Governance service where applicants can file Change in Land Use (CLU) application and make payments. The Department recommends all applicants use the Online service for their filing to the Department. The Applicants have the benefits of registering themselves as users and owning personal profile in the Online environment. Online Filing automates CLU permission process and aims to put the application in public domain where the applicant submits the applications with the relevant fee submission to the Department and finally receives the permission. It enables authorities to check the application related documents and follow the approval processes.

Salient features of e-CLU :

• Submit application for Grant of new and extension of CLU application.
• Online fees payment using Internet Banking Debit Card and Credit Card.
• Updation of Status on key events via SMS and Email.
• View Reports.

By: Harman Sandhu