Anticipating problems in recovery of licence fee from the allottees of slum rehabilitation project, the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) has decided to outsource the fee collection process to a private company. Though the Board claimed the rent recovery rate was around 80 per cent at present, the move will further reduce the revenue loss, besides keeping a check on the litigation disputes.

The licence fee for dwelling units under the slum rehabilitation scheme is Rs 800 per month. At present, this fee is collected at the site of the dwelling units through rent collection offices.

Of the proposed 25,728 units, at present, fee is collected only from nearly 500 units handed over to the beneficiaries. Handing over the process to the private party will reduce workload of the CHB employees, besides enhancing the recovery rate.

“The Board will appoint a rent collection agency and the tenders will be floated next month,” said CHB Chairman Mohanjeet Singh.

The CHB had floated the scheme under Chandigarh Small Flats Scheme in 2006, where around 25,728 dwelling units were to be built for residents of slum areas.

Regular camps are organised for the identification of these beneficiaries. The flat consists of one room with toilet and kitchen.

Nearly 510 beneficiaries have already been allotted flats in Sector 38 West. These beneficiaries are presently living in 18 notified slum colonies and will be rehabilitated in Sector 38 West, Ram Darbar, Maloya-I and II, Mauli Jagran-I and II and Dhanas.