After sealing of commercial buildings for alleged building bylaw violations here, the city’s traders association has demanded that a building bylaws advisory committee consisting of traders, architects, industrialists, RWAs, should be constituted in Chandigarh. The Committee should hold quarterly meetings and discuss the issues relating to building bylaws in Chandigarh.
In a letter written to Deputy Commissioner Mohd Shayin, the Traders Association has stated that there was terror and tension in trading community in Chandigarh after sealing action of enforcement wing on April 23of Shops/ Industries/Hotels etc in Chandigarh. They said that the rules framed under Punjab Capital Act of 1952 needed to be reviewed as Chandigarh was not the same as it was 60 years before. Also, there was a need to inform the owner/occupiers, about the nature of violation, whether compoundable or not and in case of compoundable the Estate Office should inform the charges to regularise the violation thru a simple and shortest method. In case of non compoundable offence, one must be given sufficient time at least two months to get the same removed to avoid such situation arising out of sealing.
The internal changes in premises should be allowed, of course, after caring for Structural Stability of the building. All the buildings which are constructed 15 -20 years before but not issued any notice of violation should not be proceeded against violation and be regularised, demanded the traders.
The traders association also stated that the sealing process should be avoided as it hampers business, creates unemployment, revenue loss to exchequer and loss to tourism industry. Notably, the teams headed by the Assistant Estate officer, and two SDMs had found violations in more than 20 commercial buildings which also included Elante Mall, a week ago.
The reports submitted by three inspection teams constituted on the directions of UT Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shayin for inspection of commercial sites in Chandigarh have pointed out glaring lapses in the building bylaws.