JUDGMENT

ORDER

1. Case has been heard through Video Conferencing in view of COVID-19 Pandemic. Notice of motion.

2. Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India with Mr. Dheeraj Jain, Advocate accepts notice on behalf of respondent No.l-Union of India whereas Ms. Sudeepti Sharma, Additional Advocate General, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of respondent No.2-State of Punjab.

3. Petitioner is aggrieved by circular dated 13.5.2020 (Annexure P-l) issued by Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Punjab (RERA) whereby it extended the period of validity of registration of projects by six months in addition to the period that would be normally granted for processing the application provided application is made on payment of necessary late fee. Relevant paras of the circular are reproduced below for ready reference:-

"3. The Real Estate Regulatory Authority, Punjab has considered the existing situation from all aspects and hereby determines that the current COVID-19 pandemic is a 'Force Majeure' situation for the purposes of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 in the State. In view of this, it has been decided as follows:-

a. For all registered projects where comp