Family of one former J&K Chief Minister along with seventeen former Ministers, legislators cutting across party lines have been occupying govt accomodation in Jammu contrary to their entitlement while 45 former ministers/legislators and other political persons are occupying the state bunglows/flats and other residential properties in Kashmir valley.
This information was shared by the Estates department in the form of a report tabled before the Division bench of the J&K High Court,hearing a PIL in the matter on Saturday.
According to the affidavit furnished by the deputy director Estates department, family of one former CM GM Shah, seventeen former ministers/legislators including Ch Lal Singh,former Deputy CM Kavinder Gupta, former ministers, Bali Bhagat, Sunil Sharma, Sat Sharma,Ravinder Raina (BJP) former MLA GM Saroori (Congress), Mohd Shafi Uri (NC), Vikar Rasool Wani (CONG), Shakti Raj Parihar, Neelam Langeh,Daleep Singh Parihar, RS Pathania,Rajesh Gupta,Thakur Randhir Singh were still residing in the estates accommodation till September 2, 2020.Six other MLC's and 10 political persons too were occupying the govt accommodation,the affidavit stated.
According to the report, 45 former ministers,legislators and political protectees were also occupying the government accommodation. Significantly, former minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Hakeem Mohd Yasin, Ghulam Nabi Hanzoora, ex MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir,Bashir Ahmad Dar,Ch Mohd Ramzan and others were occupying the government accommodation.
Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed appearing on behalf of Prof SK Bhalla in the case said, the Division Bench of J&k High Court comprising CJ Gita Mittal and First Puisne Judge Justice Rajesh Bindal has directed the government to provide complete details of unauthorized occupants viz ex Ministers ex legislators ex Babus and others who are staying illegally in govt accommodations contrary to their entitlement”.
He said the DB also sought details of arrears of rent electricity and renovations.The next hearing in the case was listed for 22nd Dec 2020. Sheikh Shakeel said the Division Bench termed the situation as intolerable and deprecated the Estates department for allowing the unauthorised occupation of Govt accommodation. DB also observed that any stay order issued by any court against SC Judgments will be against law and sought detail of all such cases.
