SVM seeks removal of Section 7A, Periphery Act in Panchkula villages

Panchkula: Alleging that development has been hit and industrial growth blocked, the Shivalik Vikas Manch (SVM) has urged Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini to remove Section 7A of the Haryana Urban Areas Development and Regulation Act, 1975, from 113 villages of Panchkula district and withdraw the Periphery Act, 1952, from 52 villages.

In a statement issued from Pinjore-Kalka, SVM president Vijay Bansal said memorandums had earlier been submitted to the CM, but no action has been taken so far. He alleged that the provisions were creating hurdles for residents, landowners and property buyers in selling, purchasing and developing land.

Bansal said several villages under the Kalka-Pinjore Municipal Council were unable to get building plans approved and development activities had virtually stalled. He argued that since many of these areas had already been declared urban zones, retaining Section 7A served little purpose.

Targeting the state govt, Bansal said the Kalka region has been declared industrially backward, yet industries are unable to set up units due to restrictions under the Periphery Act and Section 7A. He claimed the lack of policy support and administrative inaction had adversely affected growth.

He added that Section 7A was imposed in 212 villages in Panchkula district in Nov 2020. While around 100 villages were later removed from the list in March 2021, 113 villages continue under the restrictions.

Drawing comparisons, Bansal said areas such as Zirakpur, Mohali and Dera Bassi witnessed rapid urban growth after relaxation of similar restrictions, while Kalka-Pinjore has lagged behind.

He also claimed that despite the curbs, over 70 illegal colonies have come up in the region, leading to loss of govt revenue through stamp duty and building approvals. A public interest litigation seeking removal of the Periphery Act was also filed in the Punjab and Haryana high court in 2021, but no concrete action has been taken so far, he said.