TNN Mar 16, 2011; CHANDIGADH
Despite rampant violations of building by laws in Sector 17, the main commercial hub of the city, Estate Office has issued only 10 notices in two years.
In reply to an RTI application, Estate Office said that as per the report of its field staff, only these many notices for violations were sent out during 2009 and 2010. Assistant estate officer Hargunjit Kaur said she would get the issue examined.
Terming the violations 'need-based', traders have been demanding status quo. Even though Le Corbusier did not design any building in Sector 17, he had finalised the building codes, including the maximum height of the buildings.
The most prevalent violations pertain to partitioning of shop-cum-offices (SCOs) to sublet these to parties. Cases of defaulting on payment of leasehold money and other dues are also common.
''The estate office needs to take a practical view of the situation and allow status quo. Le Corbusier was not familiar with the kind of business that would be carried out in this part of the world,'' said a trader.
The administration has, meanwhile, given Estate Office the power to act tough against violators by sealing buildings for violation of building bylaws.
According to new rules, if after expiry of two months of the notice, the estate officer, after having afforded an opportunity of being heard to the allottee/lessee and the occupier, is satisfied that building violation exists and misuse continues, he may seal the whole or part of the building to prevent the continuance of further misuse till such time the violations are removed.
Earlier, the violators were first issued notices by the estate office. Subsequently, the officer concerned was empowered to give one or more hearing to the violator. After this, the site was resumed and then eviction proceedings were initiated with the help of the area sub-divisional magistrate (SDM).
In reply to an RTI application, Estate Office said that as per the report of its field staff, only these many notices for violations were sent out during 2009 and 2010. Assistant estate officer Hargunjit Kaur said she would get the issue examined.
Terming the violations 'need-based', traders have been demanding status quo. Even though Le Corbusier did not design any building in Sector 17, he had finalised the building codes, including the maximum height of the buildings.
The most prevalent violations pertain to partitioning of shop-cum-offices (SCOs) to sublet these to parties. Cases of defaulting on payment of leasehold money and other dues are also common.
''The estate office needs to take a practical view of the situation and allow status quo. Le Corbusier was not familiar with the kind of business that would be carried out in this part of the world,'' said a trader.
The administration has, meanwhile, given Estate Office the power to act tough against violators by sealing buildings for violation of building bylaws.
According to new rules, if after expiry of two months of the notice, the estate officer, after having afforded an opportunity of being heard to the allottee/lessee and the occupier, is satisfied that building violation exists and misuse continues, he may seal the whole or part of the building to prevent the continuance of further misuse till such time the violations are removed.
Earlier, the violators were first issued notices by the estate office. Subsequently, the officer concerned was empowered to give one or more hearing to the violator. After this, the site was resumed and then eviction proceedings were initiated with the help of the area sub-divisional magistrate (SDM).
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