The Chandigarh administration has proposed granting ownership rights to occupants of over 35,000 dwelling units in the city's rehabilitation colonies. The Union Territory has sent the draft policy to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for consideration and approval.
Scope of the Proposal
Currently, the proposal is drafted only for original allottees of dwelling units in rehabilitation colonies. General power of attorney (GPA) holders who purchased houses from original allottees are not included in this phase. However, administration sources indicated that around 80% of such houses have been sold via GPA over the past three to four decades, and GPA holders will be covered in a second phase once the proposal for original allottees is approved.
Phased Implementation
The UT estate department has outlined multiple areas under the proposal, including eligibility columns, applicable and non-applicable allottees, criteria, and consideration. A UT official stated, "Since the decision to give ownership rights is crucial, the authority wants to proceed in phases. If the original allottees' proposal works, GPA holders' proposal will be considered. The matter of GPA was also raised in the public darbar of the Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator, so the department will certainly explore possibilities."
The UT has proposed forming a screening committee to examine applications. The administrator may relax any provisions of the scheme if deemed in the public interest.
Locations and Background
Rehabilitation colonies are located in Dadumajra, Indira Colony, Manimajra, Mauli Jagran, Dhanas, Bapu Dham, Sector 52, Sector 56, and other areas. Most units were allotted on 99-year lease or similar terms starting from 1979.
Applicability
The scheme applies to all original licensees or allottees, or their legal heirs, who were allotted dwelling units under the rehabilitation scheme and have occupied them for residential purposes for more than seven years.
Non-Applicability
The policy does not apply in cases where the license has been cancelled, where building violations exist or are pending in court, where licensees misuse dwelling units, or where there are encroachments on public land.
Key Points for MHA Consideration
- Consideration Amount: An amount equivalent to 5% of the collector rate, calculated on the basis of the size of the tenement, site, or flat, shall be payable as consideration, to be deposited within one year from the date of approval of ownership rights.
- Instalment Payment: In case of payment in instalments, the licensee must pay monthly rental until full and final payment is made.
- Failure to Pay: If the full consideration amount is not paid within one year from approval, the approval for ownership rights will be automatically cancelled without any formal order.
- Outstanding Dues: All outstanding government dues must be cleared before applying under this scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
- Original allottees, co-allottees, or their legal heirs who have resided in the allotted dwelling unit for a total period of seven years or more.
- All outstanding government dues, including license fees and other charges, must have been paid.
- Non-payment of rent after the expiry of the hire-purchase period specified in the allotment letter will not make the applicant ineligible.
- Licensees must vacate any encroachments on public land.
- Any construction beyond permissible limits must be removed by the present occupant or allottees at their own cost prior to applying under this scheme.
