Huda imposes Rs 21 lakh fine on SDM for not vacating official home

16th January, 2018

Huda has issued a notice to Bhiwani’s sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), a Haryana Civil Services officer, for illegally possessing a house in Gurgaon belonging to authority. It has imposed a penalty of Rs 21 lakh and requested state chief secretary to deduct the penalty from the officer’s salary, and get the house vacated.

Huda imposes Rs 21 lakh fine on SDM for not vacating official home

Om Prakash, HCS, was posted in Huda as estate officer 1, before being transferred to Bhiwani as SDM in March 2016. During his stint at estate officer 1, he was allotted an official bungalow in Sector 17A, which he did not vacate after the transfer.

As per the rule, an officer has to vacate his official accommodation within two months after his/her transfer. “Despite repeated notices, this officer failed to vacate the house,” said a senior Huda official, adding this has denied housing to the officer who has replaced him. Sanjeev Singhla, the new estate officer 1, was denied official accommodation as Om Prakash is yet to vacate the house. “Om Prakash has occupied the house which I have been allotted,” said Singhla, adding that he is currently living on rent.

Singhla said Huda administrator and state chief secretary been informed about the issue. He is even planning to move the Punjab and Haryana high court to get the house vacated. Huda administrator Yashpal Yadav said, “I’m aware of the issue. The estate officer 1 can get the house vacated.”

Illegal occupation of official accommodation in Gurgaon has emerged as one the biggest problems for the authority, as officers currently serving here are struggling to the accommodation. Such is the attraction for accommodation in Gurgaon that government officials refuse to vacate their accommodation after transfer or retirement. More than 40 Huda houses are currently illegally occupied by officers in various departments.

According to an official, most of the illegally occupied houses are with Huda officials who have been transferred out of Gurgaon, or have retired. “We’re planning to issue notices to all illegal occupants,” he said.

Source:- https://realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/regulatory/huda-imposes-rs-21-lakh-fine-on-sdm-for-not-vacating-official-home/62324834