Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Widow Secures Chandigarh Property-Tax Exemption After Delays
Rama Saigal’s husband was an Army officer who died three years ago.
She was eligible for a property-tax exemption because she is the widow of an ex-serviceman.
She applied for the exemption before the deadline.
The Chandigarh office later asked her for more papers at different times.
This meant she had to make several trips and wait for answers.
Rama said the office should have told her about all the needed documents at once.
After The Indian Express asked questions, officials approved her application.
A retired Army officer says other veterans and families may also be facing similar problems.
Rama Saigal spent months submitting documents to obtain a property-tax exemption available to widows of ex-servicemen.
Her application was filed on May 11, before the May 31 rebate deadline, but officials later requested her husband’s death certificate and transfer letter.
Rama said officials did not clearly explain all requirements at once and that repeated visits were exhausting.
After The Indian Express asked about her case, Property Tax Branch head Dr Inder Jeet said the application had been processed and approved.
Retired Colonel Kulbir Singh said similar delays affect veterans and families and proposed a senior-citizen help desk, improved software, and greater accountability.
- Who
- Rama Saigal, widow of Lieutenant Colonel Dinesh Saigal; Chandigarh Property Tax Branch officials; and retired Colonel Kulbir Singh.
- What
- Rama’s application for a property-tax exemption was delayed while officials requested additional documents, but it was eventually approved.
- When
- Rama applied on May 11; she was asked for additional documents on June 2 and August 28, and officials said the application was approved after The Indian Express’s queries.
- Where
- The Chandigarh civic body’s Property Tax Branch.
- Why
- Officials said additional documents were required, while Rama and Colonel Kulbir Singh attributed the difficulty to unclear procedures and administrative delays.
Applicants and veterans
Property Tax Branch
Clarity of requirements
Applicants and veterans
Rama Saigal and Colonel Kulbir Singh said applicants were asked for documents at different stages and should be told all requirements at once.
Property Tax Branch
Property Tax Branch head Dr Inder Jeet said additional documents were required for the application.
Effect of delays
Applicants and veterans
Rama said repeated requests forced her to make exhausting trips, while Singh said such procedures especially burden senior citizens, widows, and people with disabilities.
Property Tax Branch
The branch said it was overworked and maintained that Rama’s application had ultimately been processed.
Broader administrative response
Applicants and veterans
Singh said he had tracked seven cases and called for a dedicated help desk, improved software, and accountability for procedural delays.
Property Tax Branch
The article reports the branch’s response on Rama’s case but does not provide a broader response to Singh’s proposed reforms.
- Applicant
- Rama Saigal, 72, widow of Lieutenant Colonel Dinesh Saigal
- Exemption
- Property-tax exemption available to widows of ex-servicemen
- Application date
- May 11, before the May 31 payment deadline with rebate
- Additional documents
- Her husband’s death certificate and a self-attested transfer letter
- Official response
- Dr Inder Jeet said the branch was overworked and that the application had been processed and approved
- Advocate
- Retired Colonel Kulbir Singh, 82, took up Rama’s case
- Proposed improvements
- A senior-citizen help desk, improved software, safeguards against penalties, and accountability for delays