SC slams UP Govt for not evicting illegal occupants

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) Taking exception to the casual attitude of the Uttar Pradesh government in evicting unauthorised occupants of government bungalows and quarters , the Supreme Court today directed the state government to file action take report detailing the steps taken by it to secure eviction of illegal occupants and also for charging penal rent from such occupants.

A bench comprising Justices B N Agrawal and P P Naolekar issued the directions when it was informed that 271 government accomodations were still in illegal occupation of politicians, bureaucrats namely former ministers, MPs and MLAs.

The government directed the state government to file action taken report before the next date of hearing namely July 31,2007.

The orders came on a PIL filed by S D Bandi seeking directions to the Centre and state governments to get the unauthorised occupants of government accomodations evicted and also charge penal rent from such occupants for the period of illegal occupancy.

The court expressed its displeasure at the collusive attitude of state authorities with such illegal occupants who are enjoying government accomodations without paying anything as dues running in crores are pending against occupants and the government is not taking any step to recover such dues. There were about 450 illegal occupants out of which 271 still remain despite the directions of the apex court to evict them immediately.

UNI