SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (HPRERA) has clarified that of the 17 real estate projects registered under Joint Development Agreements (JDAs) since 2020, only five involve non-agriculturist partners. This statement comes amid ongoing accusations regarding violations of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act related to housing initiatives throughout the state.
Chairperson RD Dhiman provided this clarification in response to inquiries from the Housing Department about projects executed under JDAs.
“A total of 17 projects have been registered since 2020 under JDAs. For 12 of these projects, the JDA partners are agriculturists, while the remaining five involve non-agriculturists,” Dhiman noted. He emphasized that all registrations complied strictly with legal and RERA regulations.
The highlighted issue has grown in importance due to allegations of irregularities surrounding the controversial Chester Hills housing project in the Solan district, which has raised concerns about adherence to Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972. This section restricts non-agriculturists from purchasing or developing agricultural land without prior government permission.
Dhiman stated that all five projects, involving non-agriculturist JDA partners, were registered before October 17, 2023. On that date, the Principal Secretary (Revenue) issued a clarification indicating that even JDA partners need to be agriculturists as per Section 118.
Addressing the Chester Hills-2 and Chester Hills-4 projects specifically, the HP RERA chairman mentioned that the state government has already reviewed the matter.
“The Chief Secretary (Town and Country Planning) determined through a November 2025 order that there was no breach of Section 118, as the Joint Development Agreement was deemed ineffective,” he explained.
The growing controversy was exacerbated by a letter from Additional Secretary (Housing) Suneel Verma dated May 7, 2026, instructing the Vigilance Bureau to obtain all records related to HPRERA-registered JDA projects within the state. They were specifically tasked with gathering details on projects with non-agriculturist JDA partners and instances where JDAs were subsequently canceled with HPRERA’s approval. The officials were directed to present their findings within a 15-day period.
In Solan district, the Chester Hills project has turned into a significant political and administrative issue, with allegations pertaining to benami transactions, illegal land dealings, and possible violations concerning nearly 275 bighas of land.
Previously, Jagat Singh Negi, the state’s Horticulture Minister, indicated that initial findings pointed to potential violations involving approximately 150 bighas of land worth around Rs 300 crore. However, he clarified that conclusions would depend on the findings of the official investigation.
The matter is currently being scrutinized by the Deputy Commissioner of Solan, while opposition parties like the BJP and CPI(M) have significantly highlighted the issue within the political discourse.
The controversy has also pitted senior bureaucrats against each other, with former Chief Secretaries Srikant Baldi and RD Dhiman (who previously led HPRERA) facing accusations and counteraccusations alongside current Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta over the management of the Chester Hills situation.
In earlier correspondence dated April 9, 2026, Chief Secretary Gupta requested a comprehensive report from the HP RERA chairman within 15 days regarding any perceived inaction against Chester Hills promoters and concerns raised on social media about possible irregularities impacting homebuyers.
Following a lack of response, the state government subsequently instructed the Vigilance Bureau to independently investigate the alleged violations related to JDA projects across Himachal Pradesh.
