The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has taken relevant papers, documents and information from the Chandigarh administration on conversion of leasehold properties into freehold and misuse penalty charges for building violations. The documents were taken following detailed discussion on both issues in the lengthy meeting attended by the adviser to the administrator with MHA officials.
The meeting between MHA and UT administration will again be held on both issues later this week. Sources said that the MHA may need more information before taking a decision. “Since further clarification may be required, MHA has asked the UT to come for the meeting again in the current week with more clarity and information,” sources said.
Although there were a few more issues that UT officials had prepared, they could not be discussed due to shortage of time and lengthy discussion on both issues, which will be taken up with the Central government later.
Sources in the Chandigarh administration confirmed that the administration had submitted details of the UT’s conversion policy, introduced around 17 years back, when some industrial plots were converted under the policy. Later, it was abolished. “UT officials also explained to the MHA the reasons for introduction and withdrawal of the policy,” sources said.
Industrial and traders’ bodies of Chandigarh have been meeting senior officials of the Chandigarh administration for conversion of leasehold properties to freehold and reduction of misuse penalty but nothing has happened so far.
MP Kirron Kher promised industrialists and traders in her election manifesto and campaign in 2014 and 2019 that the issues would be resolved but the issues remain.
