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SDM flags, Top-Level overrides: Chester Hills controversy puzzle gets murkier
Shimla, April 8,
The Chester Hills controversy in Himachal Pradesh is increasingly revealing a complex mesh of decisions, counter-decisions, and unanswered questions, with available records pointing more towards confusion than clarity.
At the ground level, the first red flag came from a field inquiry by the SDM, which reportedly flagged violations of land laws, including issues under Section 118. This was a formal finding recommending action, and under normal procedure, such a report should have invited a clear administrative response.
However, what followed appears far less straightforward. A subsequent intervention at the senior bureaucratic level reportedly diluted or set aside the SDM’s findings, marking a shift from field-level objection to higher-level relief. The later withdrawal of this intervention by the government has further deepened the uncertainty, raising questions over consistency in decision-making.
At the same time, local authorities in Solan are understood to have issued notices over alleged building violations. Yet, these actions too appear to have been overtaken or neutralised by higher administrative decisions, pointing to a disconnect between local enforcement and decisions taken at the top.
The regulatory layer adds another dimension. Former RERA Chairman Shrikant Baldi has clarified that only Phase 1 of the project was inspected during his tenure and that the disputed phases were not in existence at that time. He also stated that RERA later imposed a penalty after complaints were received, while emphasising that the authority does not grant statutory approvals such as land use or planning permissions.
Reports also suggest that RERA sought inputs from the district administration regarding alleged violations but did not receive a response.
The controversy has drawn in senior bureaucratic names, including Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta and former Chief Secretaries Prabodh Saxena, R.D. Dhiman. Recently, former Chief Secretary Viniit Chaudhary’s social media post, with differing views, emerged from within the administrative establishment itself.
Also read:Himachal Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta Denies Land Deal, Project Benefit Allegations
Interestingly, the project proponent behind Chester Hills has so far not issued any public statement on the controversy, even as allegations and counter-allegations continue to escalate.
The issue has also taken a political turn, with the opposition CPI M and Bharatiya Janata Party stepping up its attack on the government, raising questions over accountability and decision-making at the highest levels.
What the available record reveals is a pattern: objections were raised, actions were initiated, decisions were altered, and responsibilities appear to have shifted across departments. In the absence of this clarity, the Chester Hills issue continues to be shaped by competing narratives rather than a single, verifiable chain of decisions.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
