News India Live, Digital Desk: A very important discussion has started for the common people living in Chandigarh, especially the homeowners and businessmen. You might have heard that there is talk of changes in the city under Article 240 of the Constitution. But, amidst the legal complications and heavy words, the common man often gets confused as to what it means and what will be the benefit from it? So, without any heavy terminology, let us understand in simple and straightforward language what this whole matter is and what effect it is going to have on your everyday life. After all, what is this issue of Article 240? See, Chandigarh is a Union Territory. There was often confusion as to who would make the rules—the old laws of Parliament or the local administration? Till now, the functioning here was carried out under the Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952, making changes in which was quite complicated. Article 240 of the Constitution gives the President of India the power to make direct rules for the ‘Peace, Progress, and Good Government’ of any Union Territory. This means that now the administration will not have to wait for long processes of Parliament again and again for small things or to improve the rules. What ‘relief’ will the people of Chandigarh get? The biggest question – is there any benefit to me and you in this? The answer is – Yes, that is the hope. Relief from Building Misuse and Penalty: The biggest headache for the residents of Chandigarh has been the heavy fine imposed on ‘building violation’ or construction against the map. Due to old rules, the administration was not able to give one-time settlement or exemption in fine to people even if they wanted to. With the use of Article 240, the administration will be able to implement new rules, due to which people can be freed from the old heavy fines. This is a very big Chandigarh real estate news. Decisions will be taken faster (Faster Administrative Decisions): Till now the files were stuck in the intricacies of ministries (MHA) and old acts. Now the power will rest directly between the Chandigarh administration and the instructions of the President. That is, if any new project has to be brought for the development of the city or decisions like converting leasehold to freehold (Leasehold to Freehold conversion) have to be taken, then the process will become much faster. Flexibility in land and property rules: Traders and industrialists of Chandigarh always complained that times have changed but the rules of 1952 are still being followed. The implementation of Article 240 means that Chandigarh building bylaws can be updated according to today’s needs. This will not only make business easier, but will also bring clarity in buying and selling of property. Will the administration become ‘powerful’? Yes, it simply means that the Chandigarh administration will now have more power to manage its city. They will be able to take better and faster decisions on issues like ‘conversion charges’ and ‘floor-wise registry’. Now they will not have to follow the lines of the old Act for everything.