Chandigarh Property Consultants Challenge Collector Rate Revisions
The Chandigarh Property Consultant Association is stepping up its fight against the proposed collector rate hikes. They argue these hikes will make homeownership unaffordable for the middle class and turn the city into a playground for the elite. This protest follows disruptions from a stalled ban on share-wise property registration, which has paused transactions worth ₹700 crore.
Proposed Rate Revisions Spark Outrage
The administration’s draft proposal includes significant increases:
| Category | Current Rate | Proposed Increase | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Sectoral Grids | Baseline | 42% – 128% | Commercial property jumps |
| Plotted Development | ₹70,424 – ₹78,250/sq yd | Up to ₹1.78 lakh+/sq yd | Luxury-focused pricing |
| Rural Residential | – | 316% | Rural exodus acceleration |
| Rural Commercial | – | 438% | Small business displacement |
Key Concerns Raised
1. Market Accessibility
Leaders Kamal Gupta and Jatinder Singh warn that Chandigarh’s appeal—rooted in green spaces and urban design—will fade as middle-class buyers leave. They accuse bureaucrats of favoring high-end buyers from Delhi, Mumbai, and NRIs over local residents.
2. Dual Regulation Challenges
- Share-Wise Registry Ban: The policy, initially tied to a heritage status proposal (rejected in Parliament), continues to hinder sales despite its rationale dissolving.
- Compound Regulatory Impact: Consultants argue that combining rate hikes with unresolved registration bans creates a one-two punch against market liquidity.
3. Revenue Logic Disputed
The association recommends some reductions for commercial properties and capping residential hikes at 20–30% framing these as revenue-positive measures. “Flats facing outsized hikes will stall transactions entirely,” stated spokesperson Parveen Kumar Bhambri, urging market-aligned adjustments.
Political and Public Reactions
Recent developments highlight escalating tensions:
- Forward Protest Waves: Congress-led demonstrations and RWA opposition gained visibility, with BJP councillors threatening mass resignations over tax hikes.
- Grace Period Demand: Consultants sought a 4-month implementation delay to allow existing agreements to clear, though the administration rejected this proposal.
This conflict underscores Chandigarh’s balancing act between elite market strategy and equitable urban development—a debate reaches critical mass as stakeholders mobilize across party lines.
Gupta emphasized, ‘This city belongs to all residents, not just those with billionaire wallets. We cannot ignore the bureaucratic machinery strangling our real estate.’