‘Need-based changes in housing board schemes on Delhi pattern can’t be allowed in Chandigarh’: Home Ministry in Lok Sabha

“The Chandigarh Administration considered requests in 2022 and decided that the said requests on Delhi pattern cannot be allowed since Chandigarh is a planned city with unique architectural character and has high vulnerability to earthquakes as it falls in Seismic Zone-IV and the un-authorised violations may pose a threat to human life and public property,” the MoS said in his reply.

Rai also said that “certain need-based changes were allowed in relaxation of Chandigarh Building Rules, 2017 by the CHB”.

Tewari had also specifically sought the reasons why CHB is “diffident” about bringing a one-time amnesty scheme to regularise all need-based changes in its dwelling units given that 68,000 residential units are impacted and if the housing board is facing “financial crisis”.

Subsequently, the Chandigarh MP also sought details of the budget estimates, revised budget and actuals for CHB during the last five years, the details of funds sanctioned, released and utilised during the said period, and the details of the minutes of the CHB board meetings, and the details of the inventory, projects under construction and projects sanctioned during the said period.

The ministry claimed that the housing board is not facing any financial crisis and that the CHB
does not receive any grant/ budget from the central government / UT of Chandigarh. However, CHB’s budget is formed by revenue generated from its own resources. Funds are sanctioned, released and utilised as per projects, Rai added. He also informed the Lok Sabha that of the four projects, three are held up due to administrative reasons/statutory clearances.

How need-based changes became a poll issue

Most of the violations or alterations are in the nature of additional floors and rooms, extra washrooms, extension of kitchen, and extended/extra balconies, among others. Further, a considerable number of allottees have projected cantilevers on the government land and constructed balconies/stairs/bathrooms.

Earlier, a detailed exercise had been undertaken by the CHB to cover maximum possible violations in consultation with the engineering and architect divisions of the UT administration.

Recommendations of a committee had been examined by the Chandigarh Administration and certain need based changes were then allowed from 2019. However, the issue continues to haunt as a proper policy is lacking in the matter and at times notices are issued for violations.

Approval of need-based became a poll issue as it affected people living in all these units, who also constitute a major vote bank. These residents had made alterations in these units.

A survey of 61,067 CHB dwelling units revealed that 90 per cent of people made changes to their units. As the housing board started sending notices to people for violations, representations from residents were sent to the board and local MPs regularly.