CHANDIGARH, Dec 2: The Punjab Government may provide infrastructure and regularise constructions which have come up in the vicinity of Chandigarh. Punjab Chief Secretary R S Maan, Financial Commissioner (Revenue) Shyama Mann, Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary I S Bindra, Local Bodies Principal Secretary N K Arora and six other senior officers met last month and discussed the plan which will affect more than 45,000 dwelling units constructed illegally in the periphery.March 31, 1998, has been proposed as the cut-off date but some officials favour the regularisation of all constructions raised before the date of announcement. A final decision on the date will be taken after the advocate-general gives his opinion.Noting that the zone north of the Secretariat Complex is ecologically fragile, the chief secretary reportedly observed that development in this area would have to be in accordance with the provisions of the Forest Act and Land Preservation Act.According to a senior officer supervising development activities in Punjab, a plan is being prepared for Naya Gaon and Karoran villages where hundreds of poor people have built homes. However, the plan will not apply to housing colonies in violation of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995, or to structures raised by well-to-do builders. The Punjab Advocate General's opinion is being sought as to whether a distinction can be made between different classes.A division bench headed by Justice R S Mongia will hear petitions regarding violations and illegal constructions in the UT periphery on December 21. Earlier, the court had directed Punjab, Haryana and the UT Administration to conduct a fresh detailed survey of violations in their respective areas. The Punjab Government was also directed to provide police assistance to PUDA for demolitions.
