Vidhi Codex

The Punjab Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1961

The Punjab Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1961

General196168 sections8 chapters

The Punjab Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1961, is a legislative framework designed to manage urban decay in the State of Haryana. It empowers the government to identify and declare specific areas as "slums" if buildings are unfit for human habitation due to poor sanitation, lack of light, or structural instability. The Act provides mechanisms for the government to order necessary repairs, demolish dangerous structures, and redevelop land. Crucially, it protects tenants in these areas from arbitrary eviction by requiring prior written permission from the competent authority. This law balances public health and safety with the rights of property owners and residents.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I Chapter I →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement
  2. 2Definitions

Chapter II Chapter II →

  1. 3Declaration of slum areas

Chapter IV SLUM CLEARANCE AND RE-DEVELOPMENT →

  1. 9Power to declare any slum area to be a clearance area
  2. 10Slum clearance order
  3. 11Power of competent authority to redevelop clearance area or any part thereof

Chapter V ACQUISITION OF LAND →

  1. 12Power of State Government to acquire land
  2. 13Land acquired by State Government to be made available to the competent authority
  3. 14Right to receive compensation
  4. 15Basis for determination of compensation
  5. 16Apportionment of compensation
  6. 17Payment of compensation or the deposit of the same in the court
  7. 18Power of competent authority in relation to determination of compensation etc

Chapter VI PROTECTION OF TENANTS IN SLUM AREAS FROM EVICTION →

  1. 19Tenants in slum areas not to be evicted without permission of the competent authority
  2. 20Appeals
  3. 21Chapter not to apply to eviction of tenants from certain buildings

Chapter VII MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 22Powers of entry
  2. 23Powers of inspection
  3. 24Power to enter land adjoining and where work is in progress
  4. 25Breaking into building
  5. 26Entry to be made in the day time
  6. 27No entry authorised by or under this Act, shall be made except between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
  7. 28Provided that no such notice shall be necessary if the place to be inspected is a shed for cattle or a latrine, urinal or a work under construction.
  8. 29Provided further that if the occupants are unable to find any alternative accommodation, the competent authority shall arrange for the alternative accommodation for the occupants before the eviction.
  9. 30Provided that no order under this section shall be made unless the person carrying on the trade has been afforded a reasonable opportunity of showing cause as to why the order should not be made.
  10. 31Service of notices, etc
  11. 32Penalties
  12. 33Order of demolition of buildings in certain cases
  13. 34Provided that no such order shall be made unless the owner has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
  14. 35Previous sanction of the competent authority or officer authorised by it for prosecution
  15. 36Power to delegate
  16. 37Protection of action taken in good faith
  17. 38Competent authority etc. to be public servants
  18. 38ABoard to exercise powers of competent authority
  19. 39Act to override other laws
  20. 39AApplication of the Act to certain pending cases of acquisition
  21. 40Power to make rules

Chapter II-A SLUM AREA REGISTRATION →

  1. 3ARegistration of buildings in slum areas
  2. 3BRestriction on building in slum area
  3. 4Power of competent authority to require improvement of buildings unfit for human habitation
  4. 5Enforcement of notice requiring execution of works of improvement
  5. 6Expenses of maintenance of works of improvement, etc., to be recoverable from the occupiers of building
  6. 7Power of competent authority to order demolition of building unfit for human habitation
  7. 8But the competent authority before the demolition of the building shall arrange for an alternative accommodation for the occupier or occupiers.

Chapter VI-A SLUM CLEARANCE BOARD →

  1. 21AEstablishment of Slum Clearance Board
  2. 21BConstitution of Board
  3. 21CConditions of service of members
  4. 21DAppointment of officers and employees
  5. 21EConditions of service of officers and employees
  6. 21FGeneral disqualification of members, officers and employees
  7. 21GFunctions of Board
  8. 21HNo disqualification in certain cases
  9. 21IPower of Board to make regulations
  10. 21JBoard to comply with directions of Government
  11. 21KPower of Housing Board or any other Authority to cease
  12. 21LTransfer of certain assets and liabilities to Board
  13. 21MPower to make contracts
  14. 21NExecution of contracts
  15. 21OBoard to enforce certain contracts and agreements
  16. 21PBoard’s Fund
  17. 21QApplication of Slum Clearance Board Fund
  18. 21RExpenditure in case of urgency etc
  19. 21SSubventions and loans to Board
  20. 21TPower of Board to borrow
  21. 21UAccounts and audit
  22. 21VConcurrent and special audit of accounts
  23. 21WTransfer of assets and liabilities

PDF: pending for this language.