Chandigarh Housing Board Residents Face Regulatory Challenges Due to Frequent Policy Changes

Understanding the Regulatory Challenges

Residents of Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) homes are grappling with significant regulatory challenges due to frequent policy changes. With over 3 lakh individuals living in approximately 66,000 homes, the impact of these changes is profound. Many residents argue that the Board's inconsistent policies have created a regulatory mess, where constructions that were once permissible are now deemed violations.

The Impact of Policy Flip-Flops

Approximately 90% of CHB houses reportedly have some form of building deviation, which residents attribute not only to unauthorized alterations but also to the repeated revision of need-based change policies. Homeowners are often left facing notices, penalties, and even demolition threats for changes that were legal at the time of construction. This situation has eroded the confidence of residents in the Board's governance.

Calls for Policy Consistency

Residents, represented by associations such as the Chandigarh Residents’ Associations Welfare Federation (Crawfed), have expressed their frustration over the lack of policy consistency. Each new notification supersedes previous ones, leading to constructions that were once allowed being classified as violations. This has resulted in financial losses and ongoing litigation for many homeowners.

Legal and Practical Solutions

In light of these challenges, residents have proposed that the CHB accept affidavits from homeowners regarding when alterations were made, rather than relying solely on documentation that may no longer exist. However, CHB officials maintain that they lack a reliable mechanism to verify the timing of alterations, leading to the issuance of notices for any deviations found.