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CHB Housing: Policy Chaos Creates Homeowner Nightmares
10 Aug
Summary
- Over 3 lakh residents face regulatory issues in Chandigarh Housing Board homes.
- Frequent policy changes turn legal constructions into violations retrospectively.
- Homeowners seek clarity and policy consistency from the CHB.
More than 3 lakh residents residing in approximately 66,000 Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) homes are grappling with a complex regulatory situation. Frequent shifts in CHB policies have led to constructions, once permissible, now being classified as violations. This retrospective application of new rules affects an estimated 90% of CHB houses, exposing homeowners to penalties and demolition threats for alterations made legally under previous policies.
Homeowners argue that successive CHB notifications, which state they "supersede all previous orders," are being unfairly applied to question structures built years ago. Organizations like the Chandigarh Residents' Associations Welfare Federation (Crawfed) and the CHB Welfare Federation have repeatedly requested policy consistency over the past 25 years. They cite examples such as projections and balconies on MIG duplex flats, initially allowed but later disallowed.
Legal experts question the retrospective application of revised policies, citing Supreme Court judgments against creating new liabilities or removing vested rights without statutory authority. While CHB officials state they lack a mechanism to verify construction dates, some CHB board members acknowledge the hardship caused by retrospective changes and have urged for prospective policies with grandfathering provisions. Officials assure that a comprehensive need-based changes policy is being developed.
