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9 months after effecting hike, Punjab to increase collector rates again, asks DCs for proposals

During the last fiscal, the government increased prices to as high as 100 per cent in some parts of the state.

3 min readChandigarhMay 28, 2025 10:06 AM IST

Collector rate, Hike in collector rate, property rate hike, finance minister, Chandigarh

CM Bhagwant Mann during the suprise check at Mohali sub-registar office, Thursday. (Express Photo)

The Punjab government has set into motion the process to increase collector’s rates just nine months after it hiked the rates by as much as 100 per cent in August last year.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday said the government asked the Deputy Commissioners to send proposals for increasing the collector’s prices for registration of property.

Sources said the government was planning to increase the rates from 5 per cent to 50 per cent again to mend the 50-60 per cent gap between the market rate of property and the collector’s prices.

The market prices are much higher than the collectors’ rates.

Collector’s rates, or circle rates, or guideline values are the minimum prices fixed by the government for property transactions within a specific area.

During the last fiscal, the government had collected Rs 5,900 crore from stamp duty levied on the sale of property.

However, a government officer told The Indian Express that “the government needs to be careful. If collector’s prices become too high, it is observed that people start buying properties on Power of Attorney (POA) and then registering the sale deeds as they have to pay higher stamp duty on the registration. The revenue starts suffering rather than increasing. Also, the property buyers and even sellers prefer a large part of the purchase to be paid in cash rather than white money. We have to factor in all points. It is a well-known fact that India has thrived on a parallel economy, and even the worst of economic recessions did not affect the Indian markets much. Hence, the government should not damage this parallel economy. However, at the same time, property owners sometimes rue when their properties are acquired for government projects, even though they get paid as per the collector’s rates.”

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Cheema said that due to differences in collectors’ and market prices of property, corrupt practices thrive.

“We are trying to streamline all this. Soon, there will be a revision. We have effected the revision three-four times in the past. Our government is trying to end corruption, and we are trying to reduce the gap by increasing the collectors’ prices. This can check corruption to an extent,” he said.

As of now, Cheema said, it is not clear how much prices will increase.

“This depends on the DCs’ report. Every district, town and city has different market prices. It depends on that.”

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During the last fiscal, the government increased prices to as high as 100 per cent in some parts of the state.

The hike was between 50 per cent and 100 per cent.

Cities like Patiala, Mohali and Zirakpur had 100 per cent increase in the collector’s rates.

After Covid 19, the state saw exponential growth in property buying, with the land prices shooting through the roof.

Properties in Mohali are the most expensive in Punjab.

In cities like Ludhiana, Jalandhar and others, the market prices of properties are too high.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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