Chandigarh: In a big relief for govt employees awaiting official accommodation, the Chandigarh administration has amended its govt housing allotment rules to ensure that licence fee is charged only after an allotted house is physically handed over in a habitable condition. The revised rules also remove discretionary extensions for taking possession, introducing a stricter and more transparent allotment process.Under the amended provisions, allottees will first be required to take technical possession of an allotted residence from the engineering wing before it is handed over for physical occupation after repairs and maintenance are completed.Following the issue of an allotment letter, employees will have to approach the junior engineer (occupation/vacation) concerned and accept technical possession within 14 days, or 21 days where applicable. Earlier, physical possession had to be taken from the work inspector within the stipulated period.One of the key changes is the withdrawal of the house allotment committee secretary’s power to grant extensions of up to four weeks for taking possession. Employees who fail to accept an allotment or take technical possession within the prescribed time frame will now be debarred from fresh allotment for one year from the date of the allotment letter.The administration has also redefined the point from which licence fee becomes payable. Earlier, the fee was charged from the date of occupation or the 15th day after allotment, whichever was earlier. Under the revised framework, licence fee liability will begin only from the date of physical occupation, provided the allottee has accepted the accommodation through technical possession within the stipulated period.The new procedure envisages a two-stage handover mechanism. Where an allotted house is not immediately fit for occupation, the maintenance agency will issue a Technical Occupation Report. After pending repairs and maintenance are completed, a Physical Occupation Report will be issued and the accommodation handed over in a habitable condition. The allottee must then take physical possession within five working days.Officials said the amendments formalise the distinction between technical acceptance and physical occupation, ensuring employees are not required to pay licence fee for houses that are yet to be made ready for habitation, while also streamlining the maintenance and handover process.
