Property notices: Relief for those who have applied for solar panels, not for those who haven’t, says DC

On October 5, Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria had asked officials to grant some more time to people who have been served notices of resumption of their property for failing to install a solar plant.

A senior officer of the estate office clarified, “This additional time or extension shall be given to those people who have applied for the solar plants on the portal.”

He added, “This relief is for those who have applied for plants. No relief to those who have not applied yet.”

Thousands of house owners have been served notices for resumption (taking over) of their property if solar power plants are not installed at their houses within two months.

The notices have been issued by the Chandigarh estate office for violation of building rules.

The notices served on over 4000 houses of 500 square yards and above by the Chandigarh estate office say that in case the owner doesn’t ensure compliance within two months of this notice, his property shall be resumed/cancelled under the provisions of the said bylaws.
According to officials of Chandigarh Administration, 1,867 house owners have installed solar power plants at their houses while over 4,500 are yet to do it.

Earlier, the administration had made it mandatory for houses above 500 square yards to install solar plants.
The Administration intends to send notices to 250 square yards and above as it has been revised to 250 square yards, that is owners of houses 250 square yards and above need to mandatorily install these plants.
“As for the category of 250 square yards and above, we will be serving notices on them after Diwali,” the officer added.

What does the notice say?

“Whereas you are the lessee/transferee/allottee of plot number as mentioned above. As per data received from Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST), Chandigarh Administration, it has been noticed that you have not installed solar photo voltaic rooftop power plant which is compulsory requirement as per Rule 4.1 of Chandigarh Building Rules (Urban), 2017 for this category of property.

“As this allotment is governed by provisions of Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation Act) 1952 as amended from time to time, hence rules made there under i.e. CBR(U), 2017, Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007 and so on are applicable to you. Hence, you have breached the terms and condition of sale/lease provisions and building bylaws,” the notice says.

According to the Chandigarh Administration, the requirement of ‘Solar Photo Voltaic Rooftop Powe Plant’ as per Rule 4.1 of Chandigarh Building Rules (Urban), 2017 says that one kanal house is to have plant of 1 KWp, two kanal house to have a 2 KWp capacity plant, above two kanal, a 3 KWP plant.

The notice sent by Assistant Estate Officer says, “Now, therefore, the undersigned by virtue of the powers conferred upon me under Section 8A Capital of Punjab(Development and Regulation) Act, 1952, I, hereby, direct the allottees/less /transferees and the occupier of the site to install the rooftop solar photo voltaic power plant: submit compliance to this office.

In case of non-receipt of confirmation of compliance within two months, the proceedings shall be initiated against you under Section 8A of the Capital of Punjab (Development & Regulation) 1952 read with Rule 10 &14 of the Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007 as amended from time to time to time for resumption/cancellation of the site for violation of provisions of Chandigarh Estate Rules, 2007
Chandigarh Building Rules (Urban), 2017.”