Freehold status demand grows in Ambala Sadar

She called for the removal of hurdles related to property registration and transfer, building plan approval process and the resolution of practical difficulties in obtaining bank loans caused by issues with ownership documents.

Chitra also urged the government to explore a path to freehold status that avoids imposing an excessive financial burden, or at least involves only a minimal, feasible fee. The policy formulation should prioritise the actual circumstances of affected families.

“The issue is not merely a matter of land documents or Revenue Department formalities, but the lives, life savings, businesses, and futures of hundreds of families in Ambala Cantonment are tied to it. Since the citizens have been paying house tax, stamp duty and other prescribed fees for these properties for decades, the demand to establish clear and secure ownership cannot be left indefinitely to the vagaries of administrative procedures”, she added.

“Soon after covering the targeted area and collection of signatures, we will plan the future course of action and submit the collected signatures to the appropriate authorities. The campaign was launched not to create a confrontation with any individual or institution, but to seek a clear and practical solution to a long-standing public issue. We request the residents as well as the people belonging to all political parties to come forward, participate in the campaign and treat it as a long pending public issue that requires collective efforts to get freehold status of Ambala Sadar area,” Chitra said.