Chandigarh, May 7
The Center has extended five state legislations, including three from Punjab and two from Haryana, to the Union Territory of Chandigarh as part of a wider effort to modernize governance and regulatory systems in the city.
The notifications were issued on May 6 under Section 87 of the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966. Officials said the move is aimed at improving transparency, strengthening citizen protection, and enhancing ease of living and ease of doing business in Chandigarh, which does not have its own legislature. Among the Punjab laws extended are the Indian Stamp (Punjab Amendment) Acts of 2001 and 2003. The legislation strengthens the framework for property valuation and stamp duty collection while introducing measures to detect undervaluation and reduce irregularities in property transactions.
The Punjab Abadi Deh (Record of Rights) Act, 2021, has also been implemented in Chandigarh. The law provides a mechanism for surveying and recording ownership rights in habitation areas previously outside formal land records. Officials said the legislation is expected to improve land administration, reduce ownership disputes and support planned urban development.
The Center has also extended the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012, along with its 2014 amendment. The law regulates travel agents through licensing and enforcement provisions and aims to protect citizens, particularly students and job seekers, from fraudulent practices linked to human smuggling.
In addition, the Haryana Fire and Emergency Services Act, 2022, has replaced the existing fire safety framework in Chandigarh. The legislation introduces a modern risk-based fire safety system with streamlined approvals, longer validity for fire safety certificates, and revised compliance mechanisms to improve public safety while reducing procedural burden.
The Assam Tenancy Act, 2021, aligned with the Model Tenancy Act, has also been adopted in Chandigarh, replacing the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949. The new tenancy framework provides for formal rental agreements, clearly defined rights and obligations of landlords and tenants, structured eviction procedures, and a time-bound dispute-resolution mechanism.
Officials said the combined reforms are expected to address gaps in existing legal systems and bring greater clarity, uniformity and efficiency to governance and regulation in Chandigarh.
