Face2News/Chandigarh
In accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court, a review meeting was held today under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, to assess the status of unauthorized religious structures constructed on public land in the city and to ensure timely compliance with judicial mandates.
Senior officials from various key departments including the Forest Department, Chandigarh Housing Board, Estate Office, Land Acquisition Office, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh, and the Engineering Department participated in the meeting. The Deputy Commissioner took stock of the current status of action taken and reviewed the progress made by each department in addressing the issue.
(SUBHEAD)During the meeting, it was noted that three unauthorized religious structures have been identified on forest land, where removal is yet to begin. The Deputy Commissioner instructed the Forest Department to initiate immediate action in cases where no legal hurdles exist, emphasizing the need for swift compliance with court directives.
The Land Acquisition Office reported a total of sixteen unauthorized structures, out of which three acquisition notifications have been quashed by the court and Special Leave Petitions have been filed in two cases before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. For the remaining structures, the removal process is currently underway. The department was asked to strengthen legal follow-up and expedite the removal wherever there is no judicial stay.
The Engineering Department informed that 58 unauthorized structures had been identified on land under its jurisdiction, with 11 already removed. The Deputy Commissioner directed the department to accelerate the pace of action, particularly in cases where legal proceedings do not restrict demolition and where prior notices have already been issued.
The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh shared that out of 118 identified unauthorized religious structures, 24 have been demolished so far. The Deputy Commissioner stressed the importance of sustained efforts and timely resolution of all cases where no legal bar exists.
In order to prevent future encroachments, the Deputy Commissioner directed all departments to immediately fence and secure land that has been reclaimed. He also emphasized the need for strong inter-departmental coordination, particularly with the Enforcement Wing of the Estate Office and the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (Central, East, and South), to ensure effective and uninterrupted execution of removal operations.
All departments have been instructed to submit updated Action Taken Reports (ATRs) to the Deputy Commissioner’s office by the end of this month. Reiterating the seriousness of the issue, the Deputy Commissioner stated that compliance with court directions is non-negotiable and any delay, negligence, or non-compliance will be viewed seriously and dealt with accordingly. The departments were urged to operate in a mission mode with clearly defined timelines to safeguard public land and ensure its proper and lawful use.
