Munish Sood
Mandi
A significant administrative controversy has emerged in Himachal Pradesh over the Chester Hills housing project in Solan, with former Chief Secretary and ex-RERA Chairman Shrikant Baldi strongly rebutting allegations made by incumbent Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta. The escalating dispute between two senior bureaucrats has drawn attention to the functioning and credibility of the state’s administrative framework.
Former RERA Chairman Refutes Allegations
In a detailed official statement, Shrikant Baldi dismissed the allegations against him as baseless and misleading, accusing the current Chief Secretary of attempting to deflect attention from his own administrative decisions. He maintained that the present controversy stems from two disputed orders issued by Sanjay Gupta.
Baldi cautioned that such public disagreements between senior officials could adversely affect governance standards and institutional credibility.
Clarification on Project Inspection and Registration Process
Providing clarity on his role, Baldi stated that he had inspected Phase-1 of the Chester Hills project nearly three years ago, accompanied by officials from the authority and the Town and Country Planning Department. At that time, he noted, subsequent phases of the project had not yet been initiated, ruling out any possibility of irregularities during his tenure.
He further emphasized that registration under the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) follows a transparent and rule-based online process, where approvals are granted only after thorough scrutiny of all required documents.
Concerns Over Administrative Overreach
Baldi raised serious concerns regarding what he described as procedural overreach. He alleged that findings of violations under Section 118, reportedly confirmed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Solan, were set aside without proper authority. He added that the state government had subsequently annulled the concerned order.
He also claimed that demolition proceedings initiated by the Solan Municipal Corporation against unauthorized constructions were halted through administrative intervention, despite appellate jurisdiction resting with the District Judge.
RERA Action and Regulatory Role Highlighted
Defending his tenure, Baldi asserted that no decisions were taken in violation of rules in favor of the project. On the contrary, he stated that upon receiving complaints, RERA had taken strict action and imposed a penalty of ₹10 lakh on the developer.
He reiterated that RERA’s mandate is limited to project registration, while land approvals and construction-related permissions fall under the jurisdiction of other government departments.
Call for Enforcement and Review of Orders
Baldi urged the state government to ensure strict enforcement of provisions under Section 118 and called upon the district administration in Solan to take appropriate action. He also recommended reviewing the November 6, 2025 order, which, according to him, has stalled action against alleged illegal constructions.
He stressed that transparency and accountability must be upheld through timely and impartial enforcement.
Escalating Dispute Raises Governance Concerns
The controversy, which reportedly began following an official communication from Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta to the RERA Chairman, has now escalated into a major administrative standoff. The public nature of the dispute between two senior bureaucrats has raised broader concerns about governance and institutional coordination in the state.
With the matter now entangled in legal and administrative complexities, the Chester Hills project remains under close scrutiny as the state government continues to monitor developments.
