Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  SC says former CMs don’t have lifetime right to occupy govt bungalows
BackBack

SC says former CMs don’t have lifetime right to occupy govt bungalows

Supreme Court grants two months' time to former chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh to vacate such premises

The court had reserved its verdict in the case in 2014. Photo: MintPremium
The court had reserved its verdict in the case in 2014.
Photo: Mint

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that former chief ministers of states do not have a lifetime right to occupy government bungalows allotted to them.

While asking the petitioner to hand back possession of the government bungalow, the court quashed the applicability of provisions of the Ex-Chief Ministers Residence Allotment Rules, 1997 which were framed during the pendency of the suit. According to these rules, bungalows would be provided to chief ministers for their lifetime.

A bench comprising justices Anil R. Dave and N.V. Ramana delivered the verdict and granted two months’ time to former chief ministers in Uttar Pradesh to vacate such premises.

The court also directed the government to recover appropriate rent from the occupants of the bungalows for the period during which they were in unauthorised occupation.

The petition was filed by non-profit Lok Prahari, in 2004 against the backdrop of the practice of granting government accommodation to several former chief ministers and other non-eligible entities in Uttar Pradesh.

It was contended by the NGO that in the absence of any statutory provision, continued occupation after demitting the office of chief minister was illegal and that they (former chief ministers) should be asked to vacate the bungalows and pay notional rent for unauthorised occupation.

The petitioner also submitted that occupation of the residential bungalows after expiry of term of office of the chief ministers was in violation of provisions of the Uttar Pradesh (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981 which laid down salaries and other requisites to be given to chief ministers.

In a 27-page judgment, the court held that the allotment of bungalows was ‘bad in law’ and that the 1997 rules which allowed for bungalows to be held lifelong were not statutorily valid and in consonance with the 1981 Act.

In a similar petition, the Delhi high court had on 30 June 2015 cancelled the allotment of government bungalows that Congress Rajya Sabha members, Ambika Soni and Kumari Selja continued to occupy as ministers in the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

The court had reserved its verdict in the case in 2014.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 01 Aug 2016, 11:59 AM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App