Citing it ‘unconstitutional’ Supreme Court orders Uttar Pradesh Ex-CMs to evacuate government bungalows

Lucknow, May 7: Who doesn’t want to enjoy government benefits? Although the people are entitled to the aids and welfare schemes brought in by the government, the politicians also enjoy certain benefits. Amending the Uttar Pradesh legislation, the Supreme Court has quashed the law passed by the state government granting permanent residential accommodation to former chief ministers of the state.

 

Terming it as unconstitutional, Supreme Court said that the former Chief Ministers of the state are not entitled to government bungalows. While striking down the order the apex court said, “Section 4(3) of UP Ministers (salaries, allowances & miscellaneous provisions) Act, 2016 is unconstitutional.”

In the series of evacuating the government bungalows, the Supreme Court has asked the ex-Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rajnath Singh, Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, BSP Chief Mayawati and Former CM Narayan Dutt Tiwari to evacuate their places.

The Supreme Court further stated that once the Chief Minister has completed his term, he or she complies to be a normal ciotizen of the state and has no right on the government bungalows.

The apex court had sought the Uttar Pradesh government's response in November 2016, after the plea claimed that state government has sought to skirt the Supreme Court's verdict of August 1, 2016 by amending the law.

In its 2016 verdict, the apex court had held that the government bungalows allotted to the former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh was bad in law and they should hand over possession of the bungalows occupied by them in two months.

It had also said the state government should recover appropriate rent from the occupants of these bungalows for the period during their "unauthorised occupation".

So now those who are enjoying the benefits of government, even after not being in the term, it’s time to move out of the shell.