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The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has revised its enforcement approach to ensure that homebuyers are not penalised for environmental violations committed by developers in residential and commercial projects across Punjab. Under fresh directions issued in the past week, the Board has allowed execution of sale deeds and provision of electricity connections for individual buyers in projects that have breached pollution control norms. The move follows public complaints and recommendations of a committee constituted earlier this year, which found that earlier restrictions had caused significant hardship to buyers who were unaware of such violations. While relief has been extended to purchasers, the PPCB has maintained that strict legal and regulatory action will continue against non-compliant developers until full adherence to environmental norms is achieved.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has revised its regulatory framework in the past week to allow homebuyers in non-compliant housing projects to register sale deeds and obtain electricity connections, addressing concerns that earlier enforcement measures were adversely affecting purchasers rather than developers, across Punjab, following recommendations from a committee formed earlier this year to examine grievances related to environmental violations. Advertisement
The decision stems from an order issued recently, which acknowledged that previous restrictions such as withholding property registration and denying essential services had created undue hardship for individuals who had invested in housing projects without knowledge of regulatory lapses by developers. The Board noted that these measures had disproportionately impacted end-users rather than those responsible for non-compliance.
Under the revised directions, authorities will now permit execution of sale deeds for individual units and facilitate electricity connections, even in projects where environmental norms have been breached. The PPCB indicated that access to electricity constitutes a basic necessity and is intrinsically linked to the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, and that denial of such services to homebuyers was unjustified in cases where they were not at fault.
The policy shift follows multiple representations from affected homebuyers and the findings of a committee constituted in March to review the issue. The committee observed that blanket restrictions on housing and commercial developments had resulted in prolonged uncertainty for residents, particularly those unable to complete property transactions or access basic infrastructure due to pending environmental clearances.
At the same time, the Board has clarified that the revised framework does not dilute enforcement against developers. Project proponents found to be in violation of pollution control norms will continue to face prosecution under applicable environmental laws, along with penalties and restrictions on obtaining future approvals until compliance is achieved.
Officials indicated that the revised approach seeks to separate enforcement action from consumer rights, ensuring that accountability remains with developers while safeguarding purchasers from collateral consequences. The Board emphasised that environmental compliance remains mandatory, but enforcement mechanisms must not undermine the basic rights and living conditions of residents.
The move is expected to provide relief to a large number of homebuyers across the state, many of whom had been unable to complete transactions or secure essential services despite having invested substantial savings in residential projects. By allowing limited operational relief while maintaining regulatory pressure on developers, the PPCB has introduced a calibrated approach to addressing compliance failures within the real estate sector.
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