PATIALA: The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has mandated that innocent homebuyers will not face penalties for environmental breaches by real estate developers, while still enforcing strict actions against non-compliant builders.
This decision follows numerous public appeals and recommendations from a committee of senior officials formed in March. The board noted that previous restrictions on housing and commercial projects due to pollution violations unduly affected buyers who invested their life savings without awareness of these issues.
The PPCB’s order dated April 9 pointed out that limitations such as prohibiting sale deeds in non-compliant projects hindered genuine buyers seeking affordable homes.
Under the new guidelines, sale deed executions and electricity connection approvals for individual buyers are now permitted. The board emphasized that enforcement actions against defaulting developers will persist, including prosecution under environmental regulations and withholding new approvals until compliance is achieved.
The PPCB stated that access to electricity is a fundamental need linked to the Right to Life under Article 21, noting that denying these services due to developers’ violations places an unjust burden on buyers.
Chairperson Reena Gupta explained that the decision strives to balance the protection of citizens’ rights while ensuring rigorous environmental enforcement.
