Chandigarh, Aug. 9 -- Soon, violators of building bylaws in Chandigarh will have to pay through their nose as the administration is proposing fines between Rs.3 and Rs.10 per square ft a day, depending on the nature of the violation and the use of the property.

For perspective, at the maximum proposed rate of Rs.10 per sq ft a day, a 5,000 sq ft commercial property could attract a penalty of Rs.50,000 per day, amounting to Rs.15 lakh over a 30-day period.

This is a steep rise compared to the current penalty, which is capped at Rs.500 along with Rs.20 per day - an amount that officials acknowledge is no longer proportionate to present-day property values.

The proposal for the hike, part of amendments to the Capital of Punjab (Developmen...