Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 7th October , 2008:The Members of Yuva Democratic Club, Manimajra gathered here today to discuss the day-by-day increasing of disputes among the landlords and the tenants.
While addressing the Yuva Democrates, the President of the Club, Mr. Ishan Tayal said that the root cause of these disputes is the East Punjab Urban Rent Restriction Act, 1949 which is purely tenant favouring Act. It has totally diluted the rights of the property owners which has resulted in the conflict between the tenant and property owner. This Act has created panic in the minds of the landlords that is why thousands of commercial as well as residential properties are lying vacant, but owners are not ready to rent them. The rental prices are going up day by day in the tricity, which is not fair. This Act came into existence nearly 6 decades ago but no amendment has been made in the same so far.
The Chandigarh Administration took a wise step and bring about an Act of its own vide notification dated 7.11.2002 which could have solved the issue to some extent but Hon’ble Supreme Court quashed the Rent Act Notification in 2006 on constitutional grounds. Subsequently, Government of India brings a Model Rent Act and passed it in Parliament even it is assented by the President of India but till date it has not been notified by the State Governments. Union Territory Chandigarh though has sent its own Rent Act to be passed by the Parliament of India but due to political reasons it has not been passed by the Parliament of India which is a very sad affair.
Mr. Tayal has appealed to all the politicians to help in bringing a balanced Rent Act for the Tricity because major reason of conflict between the tenants and the landlords is a lot of difference between the market rent and the properties grabbed years before. And if Government of India is not interested to implement the Model Rent Act then it should establish a Rental Commission like Pay Commission who should have the authority to re-fix the rental value after every decade. There should be a provision to increase the rent per annum so that the difference between the market rent and the actual rent can be reduced as the Govt. gives D.A. to its employees after every six months. There should be a provision to increase rent at a very nominal rate every year.
Mr. Tayal thanked the all the members presented in the meeting and again appealed to the politicians to give whole-hearted support in bringing the New Rent Act Notification.