"Janta Colony Residents' Petition Dismissed: Court Leaves Decision to CHB"
Hey there! You've got to check this out – residents from Janta Colony, Chandigarh's last remaining slum located in Sector 25, are in a pickle. They have been served with an eviction notice, asking them to vacate their homes within a week. But they're not going down without a fight!
These brave folks have had a hearing at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, pleading their case against the eviction notice and demanding alternative accommodations. The petition, presented before the bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Alok Jain, claims that the residents had been provided essential amenities such as electricity, water connections, and sewage facilities, and that they've consistently paid their utility charges while possessing valid residency documents.
In light of a previous case where Colony Number 4 was demolished in April 2022, the Janta Colony residents pointed out that despite some occupants' claims for accommodation being initially rejected under the small flat scheme, 290 flats were eventually allotted to them. This parallel serves as an encouraging precedent for the residents as they seek justice.
What's more, the residents claimed that they were called by the office of the DC-cum-estate officer to discuss their claims for alternative accommodations, only to be left in limbo without any decisive action taken. The petitioners contend that no order regarding their representation has been passed to date, adding weight to their appeal.
So, what happens next? Well, the court let the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) consider the residents' representation regarding rehabilitation, hopefully halting the immediate eviction and buying some time for the CHB to assess the situation. Of course, the long-term status of the residents depends on the CHB's decision regarding their rehabilitation or alternative accommodation.
Stay tuned as we continue to keep you in the know!
Quick Facts:
- Janta Colony, the last remaining slum in Chandigarh, is facing eviction.
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the CHB to consider the residents' rehabilitation petition.
- Residents argue that they have essential amenities such as electricity, water connections, and sewage facilities, and have consistently paid their utility charges and maintained valid residency documents.
- In a similar case, Colony Number 4 was demolished in April 2022, but eventually, 290 flats were allotted to some residents.
- The residents are alleging that there has been no decisive action taken on their claims for alternative accommodations despite previous assurances.
Despite ongoing eviction proceedings, Janta Colony residents have appealed to the Punjab and Haryana High Court for rehabilitation, citing possession of valid residency documents, essential amenities like electricity, water connections, and sewage facilities, and consistent utility payments. Evidently, earlier in 2022, Colony Number 4 encountered a similar fate but later received 290 flats as allocation, offering encouragement for the Janta Colony petitioners. Meanwhile, the appeal process continues, and the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has been asked to evaluate the rehabilitation petition, granting a temporary reprieve from the immediate eviction.
