Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Right to Service (RTS) Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs 5,000 each on two engineering department officials for delaying renovation work at a govt house in Sector 22-D, with half of the penalty amount ordered to be paid as compensation to the applicant.The action came on a complaint filed by Balwinder Kaur, who was allotted house no. 3802 on medical grounds. She took possession of the house on Jan 15, 2026, and applied for renovation the same day after finding it unfit for occupation. However, the civil works were not completed within the prescribed period despite repeated requests.Under the RTS framework, renovation of govt houses is required to be completed within 90 working days. The commission held the junior engineer-cum-designated officer responsible for failing to provide the service within the stipulated time frame and imposed a Rs 5,000 penalty.The subdivisional engineer was also fined Rs 5,000 for inadequate supervision. The commission observed that better monitoring could have ensured timely completion of the work.In a separate order arising from the same petition, the commission pulled up the superintending engineer, who serves as the second appellate authority under the Right to Service Act.The commission noted that despite directions to submit an action taken report, the officer failed to do so even after a reminder and also did not appear before it on July 30.Taking a lenient view, the commission issued a warning to the superintending engineer and directed him to be more careful in future while ensuring that notified services are delivered within the prescribed timelines.Box:Half Penalty To Go To ApplicantThe commission ordered that 50% of the penalty imposed on each official be paid to the complainant as compensation. The case stemmed from delays in completing renovation work at a govt house allotted on medical grounds.
