Following protests against demolition drives last month, the UT Administration has constituted a fresh eight-member committee to review and recommend need-based changes in Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) dwelling units.
According to an order issued by Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad, the committee, headed by Chief Executive Officer, CHB, will submit its report within two weeks.
The committee will assess changes carried out by allottees in their dwelling units, identify permissible changes, compliance with the Supreme Court directions issued on January 10, 2023, and recommend the changes that can be allowed subject to the condition that there is no compromise with the structural stability, fire safety, light and ventilation etc.
Other members of the committee include Joint Secretary, Estate Office; Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation (Head of Fire Department); Chief Architect; Senior Town Planner; Finance and Planning Officer; Law Officer; and Secretary of CHB, as member convener. On the directions of the High Court, the CHB had launched a crackdown on illegal structures in April, but was halted after protest from residents and political parties.
In January this year, the UT Administration had constituted an 11-member committee to review the policy on need-based changes notified on January 3, 2023. The notification had superseded all previous orders related to need-based changes in CHB dwelling units. It was put on hold following the SC order on January 10, 2023. The apex court directed that the Chandigarh Administration shall freeze the floor area ratio (FAR) and shall not increase it any further.
Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria had on February 26 approved the recommendations of the committee. The committee recommended that the policy be implemented with certain exclusions. Out of the 28 clauses in the 2023 policy, the committee dropped four. However, the house owners have been opposing the January 2023 notification, claiming it reversed previous relaxations and categorised these as violations. CHB allottees have demanded the withdrawal of the policy and the provision of a comprehensive alternative.
The board has revised its need-based policy six times since 2010. The first need-based policy was notified on March 23, 2010, followed by policies on July 7, 2015; February 18, 2016; February 15, 2019; January 3, 2023, and February 26 this year.
In the policies notified in 2010, 2015 and 2016, the board had allowed the construction of a projection/balcony in front of MIG duplex flats with pillars below. However, it was rejected in the policies of 2019 and 2023 and termed as violation.
Over the past four decades, CHB has constructed around 68,000 flats across categories, with nearly 80% have some form of structural alteration.
“We recently submitted our suggestions on one-time solution to the issue of need-based changes. We hope the new committee will consider them,” said Nirmal Datt, chairman, CHB Residents’ Federation.
