A five-member delegation of the Chandigarh Business Council (CBC) met SDM (East) Paviter Singh and SDM (South) Isha Kamboj on July 10, 2026, to discuss key issues affecting traders, industrialists, MSMEs, professionals, startups, and market associations in the city.
Delegation Details and Memorandum Submission
The delegation comprised Ajay Gupta (president), Neeraj Bajaj (chief patron), Chander Verma (chief adviser), and Jagdish Arora (chairman). During the meeting, the delegation submitted a detailed memorandum urging the Administration to introduce practical reforms to improve the ease of doing business while preserving Chandigarh’s planned urban character.
Key Demands: Building Bylaws and Penalties
The Council emphasized the need to modernize outdated building bylaws and trade norms, particularly for box-type commercial buildings (SCFs/SCOs) in Sectors 1-30, which it said no longer meet present-day business requirements. The delegation also sought a review of high penalties for building violations, arguing that existing fines are disproportionate for minor or technical deviations and should be replaced with a more rational and equitable framework.
Relaxation of Restrictive Norms
The CBC demanded relaxation of restrictive norms governing commercial property use and expansion to enable businesses to adapt to changing market needs without unnecessary procedural hurdles. Among its other demands were permission for safe SCF/SCO conversions and internal redesigns to improve functionality, customer safety, and efficient utilization of commercial spaces; simplification of procedures for change of trade and approval of minor internal modifications to reduce delays and compliance burdens.
Infrastructure and Other Concerns
The memorandum also highlighted concerns related to infrastructure in the Industrial Area, parking and traffic management, delays in property registration and mutation, disaster preparedness, and the need for regular institutional dialogue between the Administration and the business community.
Assurance from Officials
Both officers assured the delegation that its concerns and recommendations would be examined sympathetically in coordination with the departments concerned. The council reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Chandigarh Administration to create a progressive, transparent, and business-friendly environment for the city’s trade and industrial sectors.
