Janta Colony Residents' Plea Dismissed, But Not Before a Fight
"HC Allows CHB Decision on Petition by Janta Colony Residents"
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dished out a tough decision, rejecting the petition filed by 109 residents of Janta Colony, located in Sector 25. The petitioners, who had been battling against their eviction, were hoping for a stay on the demolition notice issued by the UT administration.
In a blow to the residents, the court directed the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) to review their representation for rehabilitation, but failed to issue a stay on the eviction notice. The notice had demanded that the residents vacate their dwellings within a week.
The residents' petition also aimed to nullify an earlier order dated February 25, which had turned down their request for alternative accommodations without giving them a chance to be heard. The petitioners pleaded for directions to prevent the authorities from turfing them out of Janta Colony before a final decision on their writ petition.
The residents argued that they had been provided with essential amenities like electricity, water, and sewage facilities. Furthermore, they offered evidence in the form of utility bills, ration cards, voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and driving licenses to prove their long-standing residency. They argued their position by drawing parallels with a previous case, where Colony Number 4 was demolished in April 2022. Despite initial rejections under the small flat scheme, 290 flats were eventually allotted to some residents of the colonized slum.
Despite calling upon the office of the DC-cum-estate officer for negotiations regarding their accommodations, the petitioners complained that no order had been passed regarding their plea for rehabilitation.
- Janta Colony: The Lone Slum in Chandigarh
Janta Colony, occupying a sprawling 10 acres, is the last major slum area in Chandigarh. The administration's ongoing efforts to make the city slum-free have focused on Janta Colony as the next target, following the demolition of Sanjay Colony.
- The Future of Janta ColonyThe High Court's ruling ensures that the CHB will consider the residents' plea for rehabilitation. Nonetheless, the administration's plan to demolish Janta Colony is still in motion, as part of the broader strategy to clear slum areas in Chandigarh.
- Despite their long-standing residency in Janta Colony, the residents have been served an eviction notice, demanding they vacate their dwellings within a week.
- The rejection of the petitioners' plea by the Punjab and Haryana High Court did not halt the review of their representation for rehabilitation by the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB).
- In their plea, the residents provided evidence such as utility bills, ration cards, voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and driving licenses to prove their residency and essential amenities like electricity, water, and sewage facilities in Janta Colony.
- The future of Janta Colony, being the last major slum area in Chandigarh, remains uncertain as the administration continues its plans to demolish it, following the demolition of Sanjay Colony, as part of a broader strategy to clear slum areas.
