CHB fixes accountability of officials

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 23

For the first time, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has made officials responsible for illegal construction in flats constructed by the board.

Sources said more than 40 officials and employees had been directed to check violations and illegal construction in the areas assigned to them.

The officials have been directed to submit a weekly report to the board that no illegal construction is made in their area. An official said if any illegal construction was found at a later stage, action would be taken against the officials concerned.

In its latest survey, the board had found illegal construction at over 90 per cent houses constructed by it.

Replying to the notices issued to them, residents had stated that why they were not stopped when such constructions were taking place.

The officials deputed in the anti-encroachment team have also been divested of other charges and asked to focus only on checking of illegal constructions.

Under the new system, the CHB is issuing on-the-spot challan to violators with a direction to immediately stop further construction and remove whatever unauthorised construction was done.

After issuing challan, inspection is carried out to see whether further construction has been stopped. Photographs of fresh constructions are also taken. If further constructions are not stopped, the board demolishes the illegal structures.

If further constructions are stopped, the allottee is given three days to remove the violation. After the expiry of the given period, the CHB starts razing the illegal construction.