Chandigarh Admn cancels occupation certificates of biz complexes

Chandigarh, July 25

For violations of norms for obtaining environmental clearance and building plans, the UT Estate Office today cancelled the occupation certificates (OCs) of Godrej Eternia and Berkeley Square, two commercial complexes in Industrial Area, Phase I.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-Estate Officer Vinay Pratap Singh said the occupation certificates of both buildings were revoked for violations of conditions regarding obtaining permission from the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife, and building plans. For getting the environmental approval, the major condition regarding wildlife clearance was still unfulfilled, he added.

The Estate Officer further directed the Enforcement Branch to ensure compliance with the order by ensuring that the building was not put to any habitable use and a compliance report be put up within a week.

The respondents had obtained the building plan, the revised building plan and the occupation certificate by misrepresenting and concealing the facts. The environmental clearance they had was subject to the decision of the Supreme Court, which mandated that wildlife clearance is to be obtained from the Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife. However, the wildlife clearance was never obtained by the respondents.

In a recent meeting, the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee had directed the Administration to take action against the two projects for operating without wildlife clearance. The projects reportedly fall within the 10 km radius of the Sukhna ESZ.