VIP squatters can now be evicted in 3 days

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved squeezing the time period for completing the eviction process of former ministers, MPs and bureaucrats who have overstayed their welcome in government accommodation to only three days against the present 60 days. Moreover, the overstaying allottees can now only approach high courts to get relief. At present, persons overstaying can approach lower courts where it's easy to get stay orders. The urban development ministry has already hiked the penalty for overstaying in government accommodation, which is almost equivalent to market rent. Approximately 7,000-8,000 government houses get vacated in Delhi each year and in 20-25% cases the allottees continue to occupy them. Sources said nearly 200 allottees approach lower courts to get stay orders every year. Currently, about 70 officials are overstaying for more than two years after challenging eviction orders in different courts. According to an official release, Cabinet has approved amendments in Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act by inserting definition of & quot residential accommodation occupation& quot . It said, & quot The Amendment will enable the estate officer to apply summary proceedings for evicting unauthorized occupants from residential accommodations allotted for a fixed tenure or for a period he/she holds office on the basis of an order of allotment on licence basis, as non-vacation of such residences leads to unavailability of houses to new incumbents.& quot