Panel fines MC officers for not giving NOC for house transfer

Chief Commissioner Mahavir Singh, Chandigarh Right to Service Commission, has imposed penalties on officers of the estate branch, MC, for failing to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the transfer of a house within the stipulated timeframe. The applicant, a resident of Khuda Ali Sher, had submitted all required documents and had even sent reminders.

The Chief Commissioner imposed a fine of Rs 4,000 on Darshan Pal Singh, Superintendent (designated officer), and Rs 2,000 on Ravinder Singh, senior assistant, estate branch, MC. The commissioner also issued a notice to Sunil Dutt, who was Superintendent in the estate branch from June 16, 2022, to December 13, 2024, for his inaction on the applicant’s request and had been asked to explain why penal action should not be taken against him.

The commission found the officers guilty of failing to provide the service within the stipulated timeframe. As a result, a penalty was imposed, with 50 per cent of the total amount ordered to be paid to applicant Shivani Devi.

According to commission order, the NOC for the transfer of lease rights by sale, gift, family transfer deed or exchange deed was required to be issued within 31 working days from the date of application submission. The applicant submitted all necessary documents on November 27, 2024. However, the stipulated period expired on January 10, 2025, and the designated officer failed to provide the service.

Taking suo motu notice, the Chief Commissioner issued a notice on March 3, directing the designated officer to give reason for the delay. He was also asked to appear in person on March 7 with complete record of the case and a written response.

In his reply, the designated officer claimed that Khuda Ali Sher was initially under the zila parishad before being merged with the MC in 2019. He stated that the zila parishad had not transferred relevant records, which led to delay in processing of applications. The records were finally received on November 26, 2024, and the applicant was informed of the shortcomings in her application on the same day.

Countering the officer’s statement, the applicant stated that she had submitted all required documents on November 27, 2024.

During a hearing on March 17, both designated officers and the senior assistant were directed to submit a reply by March 19 for failing to provide the service within the prescribed timeframe, which the commissioner found unsatisfactory. As per Section 2(h) of the Punjab Right to Service (Amendment) Act, 2014, the commission held the officers accountable for not fulfilling their duty within the stipulated period.