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UT seeks amendment to Punjab Act to rationalise penalties imposed in building violation cases

Sends a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs

3 min readChandigarhJan 10, 2026 10:25 PM IST

Chandigarh Administration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act,

At present, more than 5,000 notices related to building violations are pending across Chandigarh. (File photo)

In a major relief for city residents, industrialists and traders, the Chandigarh Administration has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking an amendment to the Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act to rationalise penalties imposed in thousands of building violation cases.

At present, more than 5,000 notices related to building violations are pending across Chandigarh, primarily involving industrial units and commercial properties. Once Parliament approves the proposed amendment, the UT Administration will be empowered to revise and rationalise penalties at its own level, paving the way for the settlement of these long-pending cases.

The demand for rationalising penalties has been raised by the city’s business community for several years. However, the issue could not be addressed earlier as any change in penalty structure requires a statutory amendment to the Act. With the proposal now forwarded to the Centre, a resolution appears to be in sight.

Penalties exceed property value in some cases

Chandigarh’s Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad said that during a review of building violation cases, it was found that outdated provisions in the Act have created serious complications. In several instances, the penalty amount has risen to nearly the same value as the property itself, making it practically impossible for owners to pay.

He said a permanent legal solution is required to address such anomalies.

As per the Chief Secretary, once the Act is amended, penalties in the existing 5,000 cases and in future violations can be rationalised.

Industrial and commercial areas worst affected

The Estate Office routinely issues notices for unauthorised construction, including any structure built beyond approved building plans. A large number of such notices have been served in industrial areas and commercial complexes across the city.

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As per officials, even minor deviations from sanctioned plans attract penalties. Over time, these fines accumulate into huge sums running into crores of rupees, leaving business owners unable to clear their dues. As a result, thousands of cases remain unresolved.

In many instances, violators have already removed the unauthorised structures, but the penalty issue continues to remain pending, causing prolonged litigation.

How penalty accumulates

Under the existing provisions, the penalty starts accumulating from the day a notice is issued by the Estate Office. The fine is calculated at Rs 10 or more per square foot per day, depending on the nature of the violation. Due to this daily accumulation, the penalty amount escalates rapidly and reaches several crores within a few months, making it financially unviable for property owners to settle their cases.

As per UT officials, once these cases are settled through rationalised penalties, it will reduce the backlog of building violation cases pending in SDM courts and other legal forums.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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