PPCB provides relief to homebuyers, permits sale deeds and power connections, maintains strict action against defaulting builders
Environmental enforcement must not come at cost of people’s rights & dignity; innocent homebuyers should not suffer: Reena Gupta
PPCB acknowledges hardship, revises policy to safeguard homebuyers while enforcing environmental compliance
Chandigarh; 11th April:
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has moved to address a long-standing issue affecting thousands of homebuyers across Punjab, issuing people-centric directions to ensure that innocent citizens are not penalised for environmental violations committed by real estate developers, while maintaining strict enforcement against erring project proponents.
In a significant policy intervention, the Board acknowledged that earlier restrictions imposed on housing, residential and commercial projects for violating pollution control norms had inadvertently caused severe hardship to common citizens who had invested their life savings without any knowledge of such violations. Acting on multiple public representations and recommendations of a committee of senior officers constituted in March 2026, the Board has now adopted a balanced and humane approach.
The order dated April 9 clearly notes, “The restriction on the sale deeds of erring housing projects, residential colonies, commercial projects will also cause hardship to the common people who are in need of affordable accommodation.”
Under the revised directions, the Board has allowed the execution of sale deeds and release of electricity connections for individual buyers, ensuring that basic rights and essential services are not denied to citizens. At the same time, it has made it clear that strict action will continue against defaulting developers, including prosecution under environmental laws and denial of fresh approvals until full compliance is ensured.
The Board further emphasised that access to electricity is a basic necessity and intrinsically linked to the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and that denying such services due to violations by project proponents was causing undue hardship to innocent buyers.
PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta underlined the intent behind the decision, stating, “The Punjab Pollution Control Board is committed to ensuring that environmental enforcement does not come at the cost of people’s basic rights and dignity. Innocent homebuyers should not suffer for violations they did not commit. Through this decision, we are striking a fair balance: protecting the common citizen while holding violators strictly accountable under the law.”
This decision marks a significant step towards safeguarding the rights of citizens while reinforcing environmental accountability, ensuring that regulatory enforcement remains firm against violators without compromising the dignity and basic needs of the public.
