Punjab gives relief to homebuyers: Sale deeds, power supply allowed despite builder violations
BabushahI Bureau
Chandigarh, April 11, 2026: In a major relief to thousands of homebuyers, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued people-centric directions ensuring that innocent buyers are not penalised for environmental violations committed by real estate developers.
PPCB Chairperson Reena Gupta said the move aims to strike a balance between strict environmental enforcement and protection of citizens’ rights and dignity.
The Board acknowledged that earlier restrictions on housing and commercial projects for violating pollution norms had unintentionally caused hardship to buyers who had invested their life savings without knowledge of such violations. Acting on public representations and recommendations of a committee formed in March 2026, the Board has now revised its policy.
Under the new directions issued on April 9, authorities have allowed:
- Execution of sale deeds for individual buyers
- Release of electricity connections
At the same time, the PPCB has made it clear that strict action will continue against defaulting builders, including prosecution under environmental laws and denial of fresh approvals until full compliance is ensured.
The Board emphasised that access to electricity is a basic necessity linked to the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution, and denying such services due to developers’ violations was unjust for innocent citizens.
Reena Gupta reiterated, “Environmental enforcement must not come at the cost of people’s rights. Innocent homebuyers should not suffer for violations they did not commit.”