‘Coercive’, ‘dictatorial’: Chandigarh residents express angst over property resumption notice

Ranjit Powar, a resident of Sector 27-A Chandigarh, claimed that he has received the notice even as he has already installed a solar plant. “We have a new house and a solar panel was installed when the house was completed. The Estate Office has sent notices mindlessly without checking house details which should be available on a click. It raises doubts about the authenticity of information with them,” Powar said.

Even ML Sarin, a resident of Chandigarh, stated that he received notice for his Sector 8 house despite having a solar plant installed three years back. His son Nitin Sarin claimed he has also sent a written reply to the notice sent by the assistant estate officer with relevant documents, bills, photographs and inspection report as well. “We are also sending photographs of the solar photovoltaic rooftop power plant,” Nitin added.

ML Sarin while speaking to The Indian Express said the “sad part is the notice has been sent to us when we have already installed the solar panel. The administration could at least do its homework”.

Chandigarh Member of Parliament (MP) Manish Tewari also expressed concern on the issue and said the kind of “coercion” used is not appropriate.

“A substantial number of citizens of Chandigarh are very upset about the coercive notices to install rooftop solar plants, failing which they will lose their properties. The residents are not against renewables, but are against the coercion and are right,” he said.

Tewari also quoted a message he received from an irate resident, who described the notice as “highly arbitrary, dictatorial “As our people’s representative at the country’s highest law-making body, I’m writing to request your intervention on this highly arbitrary, dictatorial and coercive measure by the UT administration. They are threatening to resume houses worth crores and render people homeless if they don’t install solar panels worth a few lakhs. What skewered thinking! And why should people be forced into such an exercise? The administration can install it at its cost if it wants,” the message said.

A resident on the condition of anonymity said notices should be recalled and an apology must be issued. “An officer will enjoy his chai and samosa and bill it to the citizens. Such people are harassing those who don’t respond to the notices even if they already have the installations. Any sensible officer with proper education would have recalled the notices, issued an apology, and gone back to the drawing board,” the resident said.

Naveen Manglani, Vice President, Chamber of Chandigarh Industries told The Indian Express that even those who have installed these panels have not received any subsidy from the authorities. “There is no coordination between the departments. Also, many of those who installed, have not received either the subsidy or the credit of power units generated,” he said.

He further said even the government departments cannot install solar panels within 60 days.

“While we fully appreciate the administration’s efforts to promote sustainable energy solutions, the tone and urgency of these letters come across as unduly harsh and seem to be causing distress among citizens. It is important to highlight that the notification concerning mandatory solar rooftop installation was originally intended for new constructions. Retrospectively applying this policy to existing properties seems unjustified, especially without considering the logistical challenges involved in such installations,” Manglani added.

“The administration should be aware that the process of obtaining necessary permissions and approvals, as well as securing and installing the solar systems, requires time and coordination with multiple agencies. A 60-day deadline is not a reasonable timeframe for most residents to complete this task, not even any government department can install the rooftop solar panels within the stipulated 60 days.”

Manglani also expressed concerns on the “lack of clarity” around the financial assistance provided under the administration’s policy, as well as issues with the gross/net metering of consumption. “Many residents are dissatisfied with the coordination between CREST, the Department of Planning and Development, and the Electricity Department. This lack of communication only exacerbates the challenges of implementing solar installations efficiently,” he added.