LAHORE, June 22: A uniform policy for leasing and allotment of state land is being formulated, and a minimum price will be fixed after cancellation of the existing lease agreements in Punjab to check the sale of the land at throwaway prices.

For this purpose, the district price committees will also be reconstituted.

Punjab Colonies Minister Mian Manazar Ali Ranjha said this while presiding over a meeting of the department officials here on Wednesday. Member colonies Tariq Yousaf, secretary Ghulam Farid and other officers attended the meeting.

The minister also sought a report on the existing lease schemes.

He said the land prices had increased hundred times in the last decade, and a new leasing policy in the light of ground realities was required so that the precious state land could not be sold at nominal rates.

Mr Ranjha directed the officers that they should not accept any pressure and discharge their duties with honesty. He said the chief minister had given him a free hand to curb land mafia at any cost.

The minister proposed that a minimum price of state land at tehsil level should be fixed to avoid its sale at lesser price.—APP