To ensure speedy eviction of illegal occupants of its accommodation, the state Government has decided to impose heavy penal rents on unauthorized occupants with immediate effect.
In this regard, the Estates Department on Thursday issued adetailed SoP. If the official accommodation is not vacated by the illegaloccupant within one week of issuance of final eviction notice, penal rent fivetimes of the prescribed rent shall be charged for the first month of theoverstay, an official statement quoted the SoP.
If the accommodation is not vacated after expiry of firstmonth, the penal rent 10 times of the prescribed rent shall be charged for nexttwo months and if the accommodation is not vacated even after three months, theenhanced penal rent of 20 times or as per market rates in vogue, to be workedout by Public Works (R&B) Department, whichever is higher, shall becharged, said the statement.
“A number of illegal occupants of Estates accommodation haveneither vacated the official accommodation occupied by them nor responded tothe communications/notices issued by the Estates department from time to time,”said the statement, adding the illegal occupation of Government accommodationalso infringes upon rights of other genuine claimants, who are in need ofgovernment accommodation for smooth discharge of their duties.
However, the continued unauthorized occupation of theaccommodation has created avoidable difficulties for the Estates Department inproviding accommodation to such bonafide employees, the statement said.
Therefore, in a stern warning, the Estates Department hasasked all unauthorized occupants to either vacate the accommodation immediatelyor be prepared to pay the penal rents.The Department has issued directions to itsfield staff for implementation of the SoP in letter and spirit, adding theDepartment will be periodically reviewing the matter to enforce the SoP.