Vidhi Codex

Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976

The Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976

Infrastructure1976412 sections21 chapters

This Act establishes and governs Municipal Corporations in the state of Punjab, specifically covering larger urban areas while excluding Cantonment regions. It provides the legal framework for the administration, budgeting, and functioning of these local bodies. By defining the powers, duties, and procedures for elected councillors and appointed officials like the Commissioner, the law ensures effective local governance, urban planning, and the delivery of essential civic services to residents. It essentially serves as the governing statute for how cities are run and managed within the state.

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Chapter II Chapter II →

  1. 4Constitution of Corporation and interim arrangement for carrying on its functions till its constitution
  2. 5Composition of Corporation
  3. 6Reservation of Seats
  4. 7Duration of Municipal Corporation.
  5. 8Delimitation of wards.
  6. 9Powers to alter or amend delimitation orders.
  7. 10Power to conduct elections
  8. 13Disqualifications for councillorship.
  9. 35Oath or affirmation by councillors
  10. 36Removal of and resignation by councillor
  11. 37Payment of allowances to councillors
  12. 38Election of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor, Deputy Mayor and their term of office
  13. 39Removal of Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor
  14. 40Discharge of functions of the Mayor by the Deputy Mayors.
  15. 41Resignation of Mayor and Deputy Mayors
  16. 42Committees

Chapter III Chapter III →

  1. 43General powers of Corporation.
  2. 44Obligatory functions of Corporation.
  3. 45Discretionary functions of Corporation.

Chapter IV Chapter IV →

  1. 46Municipal authorities
  2. 47Appointment of Commissioner
  3. 48Salary and allowances of Commissioner
  4. 49Leave of absence of Commissioner
  5. 50Appointment of officiating Commissioner in case of death, resignation or removal of Commissioner
  6. 51Contribution by Corporation
  7. 52Functions of Commissioner.
  8. 53Power of Corporation to require Commissioner to produce documents and furnish returns, reports, etc.
  9. 54Exercise of powers to be subject to sanction.

Chapter V Chapter V →

  1. 55Transaction of business by the Corporation meetings
  2. 56First meeting of Corporation after general elections
  3. 57Notice of meetings and business
  4. 58Quorum
  5. 59Presiding Officer.
  6. 60Meeting for election of Mayor
  7. 61Method of deciding question.
  8. 62Maintenance of order at and admission of public to meetings, withdrawal and suspension of councillors.
  9. 63Councillor not to vote on matter in which he is interested
  10. 64Right to attend meetings of Corporation and its committees, etc. and right of councillors to ask questions in relation to the municipal Government of City.
  11. 65Power to make regulations
  12. 66Presiding officer at meetings of ad hoc committees.
  13. 67Keeping of minutes and proceedings
  14. 68Circulation of minutes and inspection of minutes and reports of proceedings
  15. 69Forwarding minutes and reports of proceedings to Divisional Commissioner.
  16. 70Validation of proceedings, etc.

Chapter VI Chapter VI →

  1. 71Posts in Corporation and appointments thereto.
  2. 72Officers and other employees not to undertake any extraneous work.
  3. 73Officers and other employees not to be interested in any contract, etc. with Corporation.
  4. 74Punishment of Corporation officers and other employees.
  5. 75Power of Corporation to make regulations

Chapter VII Chapter VII →

  1. 76Constitution of Corporation Fund
  2. 77Corporation Fund to be kept in State Bank of India or in Treasury or in a Nationalised Bank
  3. 78Operation of accounts with Banks.
  4. 79Payments not to be made unless covered by a budget-grant
  5. 80Duty of persons signing cheques.
  6. 81Procedure when money not covered by a budget-grant is expended.
  7. 82Application of Corporation Fund
  8. 83Payments from Corporation Fund for works urgently required for public service
  9. 84Investment of surplus money.
  10. 85Constitution of special funds
  11. 86Budget estimates.
  12. 87Power of Corporation to alter budget estimates.
  13. 88Power of Corporation to re-adjust income and expenditure during the year
  14. 89Provisions as to unexpended budget-grant

Chapter VIII Chapter VIII →

  1. 90Taxes to be imposed by Corporation under this Act and arrangement of certain taxes collected by Government
  2. 91Components and rates of taxes on lands and buildings
  3. 92Premises in respect of which water tax and fire tax are to be levied
  4. 93Determination of rateable value of lands and buildings assessable to taxes
  5. 94Furnishing of returns and penalty for failure to do so.
  6. 95Charge by measurement in lieu of water tax in certain cases.
  7. 96Taxation of Union properties.
  8. 97Incidence of taxes on lands and buildings.
  9. 98Apportionment of liability of taxes on lands and buildings when premises assessed are let or sub-let.
  10. 99Recovery of taxes on lands and buildings from occupiers.
  11. 100Taxes on lands and buildings a first charge on premises on which they are assessed.
  12. 101Assessment list.
  13. 102Evidentiary value of assessment list
  14. 103Amendment of assessment list
  15. 104Preparation of new assessment list
  16. 105Notice of transfers.
  17. 106Notice of erection of building, etc.
  18. 107Notice of demolition or removal of building.
  19. 108Power of Commissioner to call for information and return.
  20. 109Premises owned by or let to, two or more persons in severalty to be ordinarily assessed as one property.
  21. 110Assessment in case of amalgamation of premises.
  22. 111Power of Commissioner to assess separately out-houses and portions of buildings.
  23. 112Power of Commissioner to employ valuers.
  24. 113Levy of octroi.
  25. 114Power to examine article liable to octroi
  26. 115Power to search where octroi is leviable
  27. 116Penalty for evasion of octroi
  28. 117Recovery of octroi and tolls
  29. 118Tax on vehicles and animals.
  30. 119Tax on whom leviable.
  31. 120Exemptions from taxes on vehicles and animals
  32. 121Tax when payable.
  33. 122Tax on advertisements
  34. 123Prohibition of advertisements without written permission of Commissioner
  35. 124Permission of Commissioner to become void in certain cases.
  36. 125Presumption in case of contravention
  37. 126Power of Commissioner in case of contravention
  38. 127Tax on building applications.
  39. 128Levy of development tax.
  40. 129Amount of development tax.
  41. 130Payment of development tax.
  42. 131Notice of completion of scheme
  43. 132Assessment of development tax.
  44. 133Supplementary taxation.
  45. 134Time and manner of payment of taxes
  46. 135Presentation of bill
  47. 136Recovery from a person about to leave the City.
  48. 137Consequences of failure to pay tax within thirty days.
  49. 138Manner of recovering tax.
  50. 139Power of seizure of vehicles and animals in case of non-payment of tax thereon
  51. 140Demolition, etc., of building
  52. 141Remission or refund of tax.
  53. 142Power to require entry in assessment list of details of buildings
  54. 143Notice to be given of circumstances in which remission or refund is claimed
  55. 144What buildings etc. are to be deemed vacant
  56. 145Notice to be given of every occupation of vacant land or building.
  57. 146Appeal against assessment, etc.
  58. 147Conditions of right to appeal
  59. 148Finality of appellate orders
  60. 149Taxation not to be questioned except under this Act
  61. 150Power to inspect for purposes of determining rateable value or tax.
  62. 151Composition.
  63. 152Irrecoverable debts
  64. 153Obligation to disclose liability
  65. 154Power to amend list in certain cases
  66. 155Immaterial error not to affect liability
  67. 156Power of exemption
  68. 157Powers of Government in regard to taxes
  69. 158Power of Corporation to borrow.
  70. 159Time for repayment of money borrowed under Section 158.
  71. 160Form and effect of debentures.
  72. 161Payment to survivors of joint payees.
  73. 162Receipt by joint holders for the interest or dividend.
  74. 163Maintenance and investment of sinking funds.
  75. 164Application of sinking funds
  76. 165Annual statement by Commissioner
  77. 166Priority of payment for interest and repayment of loans over other payments
  78. 167Attachment of Corporation Fund for recovery of money borrowed from Government
  79. 168Power to make regulations
  80. 169Property vested in Corporation and management of public institutions

Chapter X Chapter X →

  1. 170Acquisition of immovable property by agreement
  2. 171Procedure when immovable property cannot be acquired by agreement
  3. 172Disposal of property
  4. 173Contracts by Corporation
  5. 174Procedure for making contracts
  6. 175Mode of executing contracts

Chapter XI Chapter XI →

  1. 176Maintenance of accounts and scrutiny thereof by Examiner, Local Fund Accounts, Punjab and by Corporation
  2. 177Report by Examiner, Local Fund Accounts, Punjab
  3. 178Action by Commissioner on the report
  4. 179Procedure to be followed by Examiner, Local Fund Accounts, Punjab
  5. 180Power of Examiner, Local Fund Accounts, Punjab to make queries, etc. and call for returns, etc.

Chapter XII Chapter XII →

  1. 181Definitions
  2. 182Power to require Corporation to carry out surveys and formulate proposals
  3. 183Power to construct additional works
  4. 184Functions in relation to water supply.
  5. 185Supply of water to connected premises.
  6. 186Power to supply water for non-domestic purposes.
  7. 187Making connections with municipal water works.
  8. 188Obligation of owner or occupier to give notice of waste of water.
  9. 189Cutting of supply to premises
  10. 190New premises not to be occupied without arrangement for water supply
  11. 191Public gratuitous water supply
  12. 192Power to lay mains
  13. 193Power to lay service pipes etc.
  14. 194Provision of fire hydrants
  15. 195Power of Corporation to require owners of premises to set up pumps, etc.
  16. 196Power to enter premises to detect waste or misuse of water
  17. 197Power to test water fittings
  18. 198Power to close or restrict use of water from polluted source of supply
  19. 199Water pipes etc., not to be placed where water will be polluted
  20. 200Joint and several liability of owners and occupiers for offence in relation to water supply
  21. 201Public drains etc. to vest in Corporation
  22. 202Control of drains and sewage disposal works
  23. 203Certain matters not to be passed into municipal drains
  24. 204Application by owners and occupiers to drain into municipal drains
  25. 205Drainage of un-drained premises
  26. 206New premises not to be erected without drainage
  27. 207Power to drain group or block of premises by combined operation
  28. 208Power of Commissioner to close or limit the use of private drain in certain cases
  29. 209Use of drain by a person other than owner
  30. 210Sewage and rain water drains to be distinct
  31. 211Powers of Commissioner to require owner to carry out certain works for satisfactory drainage
  32. 212Appointment of places for the emptying of drains and disposal of sewage.
  33. 213Connection with waterworks and drains not to be made without permission
  34. 214Buildings, railways and private streets not to be erected or constructed over drains or water-works without permission
  35. 215Rights of user of property for aqueducts, lines etc
  36. 216Power of owner of premises to place pipes and drains through land belonging to other persons
  37. 217Railway administration to be informed in certain cases
  38. 218Power of Commissioner to execute work after giving notice to the person liable.
  39. 219Power of Commissioner to affix shafts etc., for ventilation of drain or, cesspool
  40. 220Power of Commissioner to examine and test drain etc., believed to be defective.
  41. 221Employment of Government agencies for repairs, etc.
  42. 222Work to be done by licensed plumber
  43. 223Prohibition of certain acts

Chapter XIII Chapter XIII →

  1. 224Vesting of public streets in Corporation
  2. 225Functions of Commissioner in respect of public streets
  3. 226Disposal of land forming site of public streets permanently closed
  4. 227Power to make new public streets
  5. 228Minimum width of new public streets
  6. 229Power to prohibit use of public streets for certain kinds of traffic
  7. 230Power to acquire land and buildings for public streets and for public parking places
  8. 231Defining the regular line of streets
  9. 232Setting back building to regular line of street
  10. 233Compulsory setting back of building to regular line of street
  11. 234Acquisition of open land and land occupied by platforms, etc., within the regular line of street
  12. 235Acquisition of remaining part of building and land after their portions within regular line of street have been acquired
  13. 236Setting forward of buildings to regular line of street
  14. 237Compensation to be paid in certain cases of setting back or setting forward of buildings, etc.
  15. 238Owners’ obligation when dealing with land as building sites
  16. 239Layout plans
  17. 240Alteration or demolition of street made in breach of Section 239
  18. 241Power of Commissioner to order work to be carried out or to carry it out himself in default
  19. 242Declaration of public streets
  20. 243Prohibition of projection upon streets, etc.
  21. 244Projections over streets may be permitted in certain cases
  22. 245Ground floor door, etc., not to open outwards on streets
  23. 246Prohibition of structures, fixtures or deposit of things in streets
  24. 247Special provision regarding streets belonging to Government
  25. 248Power to remove anything deposited or exposed for sale in contravention of this Act.
  26. 249Prohibition of tethering of animals and milking of cattle
  27. 250Precautions during repair of streets
  28. 251Streets not to be opened or broken up and building materials not to be deposited thereon without permission
  29. 252Disposal of things removed under this chapter
  30. 253Naming and numbering of streets
  31. 254Commissioner to take steps for repairing or enclosing dangerous places
  32. 255Measures for lighting
  33. 256Prohibition of removal, etc. of lamps
  34. 257Definitions
  35. 258Prohibition of building without sanction
  36. 259Erection of building
  37. 260Applications for additions to, or repairs of buildings
  38. 261Conditions of valid notice
  39. 262Sanction or refusal of building or work
  40. 263When building or work may be proceeded with
  41. 264Sanction accorded under misrepresentation
  42. 265Buildings at corners of streets
  43. 266Provisions as to buildings and works on either side of new streets
  44. 267Period for completion of building or work
  45. 268Prohibition against use of inflammable materials for buildings etc. without permission
  46. 269Order of demolition and stoppage of buildings and works in certain cases
  47. 270Order of stoppage of building or works in certain cases
  48. 271Power of Commissioner to require alteration of work
  49. 272Completion certificate
  50. 273Restrictions on user of buildings and removal of dangerous buildings
  51. 274Power to order building to be vacated in certain circumstances
  52. 275Building Scheme

Chapter XV Chapter XV →

  1. 276Provision for daily cleansing of streets and removal of rubbish and filth
  2. 277Rubbish, etc. to be property of Corporation
  3. 278Provision for appointment of receptacles, depots and places for rubbish, etc.
  4. 279Duty of owners and occupiers to collect and deposit rubbish etc.
  5. 280Collection and removal of filth and polluted matter
  6. 281Collection and removal of filth and polluted matter through Corporation agency
  7. 282Removal of rubbish, etc., accumulated on premises used as factories, work-shops, etc.
  8. 283Prohibition against accumulation of rubbish etc.
  9. 284Commissioner’s power to get premises scavenged and cleansed
  10. 285Public latrines, urinal etc.
  11. 286Constructions of latrines and urinals
  12. 287Latrines and urinals, etc., in new buildings
  13. 288Latrines and urinals for labourers etc.
  14. 289Provisions of latrine and urinals for markets etc.
  15. 290Other provision as to private latrines
  16. 291Removal of congested buildings
  17. 292Power of Commissioner to require improvement of buildings unfit for human habitation
  18. 293Enforcement of notice requiring execution of works of improvement
  19. 294Power of Commissioner to order demolition of buildings unfit for human habitation
  20. 295Insanitary huts and sheds
  21. 296Prohibition against washing by washermen
  22. 297Obligation to give information of dangerous disease
  23. 298Removal to hospitals of patients suffering from dangerous disease
  24. 299Disinfection of buildings and articles
  25. 300Destruction of infections huts or sheds
  26. 301Means of disinfection
  27. 302Special measures in case of outbreak of dangerous or epidemic diseases
  28. 303Infected clothes not to be sent to washerman or to laundry
  29. 304Contamination and disinfection of public conveyance
  30. 305Driver of conveyance not bound to carry persons suffering from dangerous disease
  31. 306Disinfection of buildings before letting the same
  32. 307Disposal of infected articles without disinfection
  33. 308No prohibition of making or selling of food, etc. or washing of clothes by infected persons
  34. 309Power to restrict or prohibit sale of food or drink
  35. 310Control over wells and tanks, etc.
  36. 311Duty of persons suffering from dangerous disease
  37. 312Disposal of infectious corpses where any person has died from any dangerous disease
  38. 313Conditions of service of sweepers and certain other classes of persons employed in Corporation service
  39. 314Conditions of service of sweepers employed for doing house scavenging
  40. 315Power to call for information regarding burning and burial ground
  41. 316Permission for use of new burning or burial ground
  42. 317Power to require closing of burning and burial grounds
  43. 318Removal of corpses
  44. 319Disposal of dead animals
  45. 320Appointment of Chief Registrar and Registrars
  46. 321Duties of registrars
  47. 322Information of births and deaths

Chapter XVII Chapter XVII →

  1. 323Prohibition of nuisances
  2. 324Power of Commissioner to require removal or abatement of nuisance
  3. 325Registration and control of dogs
  4. 326Stacking or collecting inflammable materials
  5. 327Care of naked lights
  6. 328Discharging fire-works, fire-arms, etc.
  7. 329Power to require buildings, wells, etc., to be rendered safe
  8. 330Enclosure of waste land used for improper purposes

Chapter XVIII Chapter XVIII →

  1. 331Provision of municipal markets and slaughter-houses
  2. 332Use of municipal markets
  3. 333Private markets and slaughter-houses
  4. 334Conditions of grant of licence for private market
  5. 335Prohibition of keeping markets open without licence, etc.
  6. 336Prohibition of use of unlicensed markets
  7. 337Prohibition of business and trade
  8. 338Levy of stallages, the rent and the fees
  9. 339Stallages, rents, etc., to be published
  10. 340Power to expel lepers and disturbers, etc. from markets
  11. 341Butcher’s fishmonger’s and poulterer’s licence
  12. 342Factory, etc., not to be established without permission of Commissioner
  13. 343Premises not to be used for certain purposes without licence
  14. 344Seizure of certain animals
  15. 345Power of the Commissioner to prevent use of premises in particular area for purposes referred to in Section 343
  16. 346Licences for hawking articles, etc.
  17. 347Eating houses, etc., not to be used without licence from Commissioner
  18. 348Licencing and control of theatres, circuses and places of public amusement
  19. 349Power of Commissioner to stop use of premises used in contravention of licences
  20. 350Power of Commissioner to inspect places where unlawful slaughter of animal, etc., is suspected

Chapter XIX Chapter XIX →

  1. 351Improvement scheme
  2. 352Matters to be provided for in an improvement scheme.
  3. 353Submission of improvement scheme to the Corporation for approval and to the Government for sanction.
  4. 354Publication of the notice after scheme is sanctioned.
  5. 355Rehousing scheme.
  6. 356Improvement scheme and rehousing scheme to comply with master plan and zonal development plan.

Chapter XX Chapter XX →

  1. 357Signature, conditions, duration, suspension, revocation, etc., of licences and written permissions
  2. 358Power of entry and inspection
  3. 359Power to enter land adjoining land in relation to any work
  4. 360Breaking into building
  5. 361Time of making entry
  6. 362Consent ordinarily to be obtained
  7. 363Regard to be had to social or religious usages
  8. 364Prohibition of obstruction or molestation in execution of work
  9. 365Public notices how to be made known
  10. 366Newspaper in which advertisement of notices to be published
  11. 367Proof of consent, etc. of Commissioner etc.
  12. 368Notices, etc. to fix reasonable time
  13. 369Signature on notices, etc., may be stamped
  14. 370Notice etc. by whom to be served or issued
  15. 371Service of notices, etc.
  16. 372Service of bills for tax or notice of demand by ordinary post.
  17. 373Power in case of non-compliance with notice, etc.
  18. 374Liability of occupier to pay in default of owner
  19. 375Execution of work by occupier in default of owner and deduction of expense from rent
  20. 376Relief to agents and trustees
  21. 377General power to pay compensation
  22. 378Compensation to be paid by offenders for damage caused by them
  23. 379Reference to the court of the District Judge in certain cases
  24. 380Application to court of District Judge in other cases
  25. 381Power to sue for expenses or compensation
  26. 382Mode of recovery of certain dues
  27. 383Right of owner to apply to court of the District Judge in case of obstruction by occupier
  28. 384General powers and procedure of the court of District Judge
  29. 385Fees in proceeding before court of the District Judge
  30. 386Repayment of half fees on settlement before hearing
  31. 387Power of the court of District Judge to delegate certain powers and to make rules
  32. 388Punishment for certain offences
  33. 389Punishment for acquiring share or interest in contract, etc. with Corporation
  34. 390General
  35. 391Offences of companies
  36. 392Police establishments
  37. 393Arrest of Offenders
  38. 394Power to institute etc., legal proceedings and obtain legal advice
  39. 395Protection of action of the Corporation, etc.
  40. 396Notice to be given of suits

Chapter XXI Chapter XXI →

  1. 397Supplemental provisions respecting rules
  2. 398Supplemental provisions respecting regulations
  3. 399Powers to made bye-laws
  4. 400Penalty for breaches of bye-laws
  5. 401Supplemental provisions respecting bye-law
  6. 402Bye-laws to be available for inspection and purchase

Chapter XXII Chapter XXII →

  1. 403Power of Government to require production of documents
  2. 404Inspection
  3. 405Directions by Government
  4. 406Power to provide for enforcement of direction under section 405
  5. 407Dissolution of Corporation

Chapter XXIII Chapter XXIII →

  1. 408Delegation
  2. 409Validity of notices and other documents
  3. 410Admissibility of document or entry as evidence
  4. 411Evidence of Corporation Officer or employee
  5. 412Prohibition against obstruction of Mayor or any Municipal authority etc.
  6. 413Prohibition against removal of mark
  7. 414Prohibition against removal or obliteration of notice
  8. 415Prohibition against unauthorised dealing with public place or materials
  9. 416Liability of Councillors
  10. 417Councillors and Corporation Officer and employees to be public servants
  11. 418Annual administration report
  12. 419Other laws not to be disregarded
  13. 420Construction of references
  14. 421Special provisions as to rural areas
  15. 422Government’s power to suspend any resolution or order of Corporation
  16. 423Government’s power to annul or modify illegal proceedings
  17. 424Government’s power to withdraw area of any City from operation of Act

Chapter XXIV Chapter XXIV →

  1. 425Constructions of references in other enactment
  2. 426Sums due
  3. 427Assets, liabilities, debts, obligations, contracts and pending proceedings
  4. 428Continuation of appointments, taxes, budget estimates, assessments, etc.
  5. 429Provision for municipal committee or local authority which is superseded or dissolved
  6. 430Power to remove difficulties
  7. 431Repeal

Chapter XXI Chapter XXI →

  1. DBye-laws relating to buildings -

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