From the reports which our correspondent has culled out from the various sources and also from the official report of the Estates Department, it appears that the State Estates Department is for general loot not by professional looters but by people in sophisticated professions wearing a mask of distinction and credibility. Estates Department provides Government accommodation and related facilities to the accredited Government functionaries. Besides that, accommodation is also provided to some non-Government functionaries like media persons, social activists, politicians etc, Estates department has 1286 residential flats, quarters and bungalows in Srinagar and they are supposed to generate around Rs 90.22 lakh rent per year. Allotment is not made in vacuum but is governed by established rules and regulations. The occupants are required to pay the approved rent for the accommodation depending on location, floor area and other facilities, electric power consumption etc. We have the official reports from the Estate Department giving details of occupants of Government accommodation who have not paid the rent for years or who have not paid electric bills for years despite regular notices from the Estate Department. There are many MLAs, MLCs, former Ministers and politicians against whom huge rent and electric bills are pending since long. Around 40 journalists and 50 politicians including former Ministers and MLAs are among those whose rent and electric bills are pending. Put it together, the amount runs into scores of lakh of rupees.
The Estates Department has the full record of defaulters with it. It has made a report public showing who owes how much. The question is that despite timely reminders and despite eviction notices, none of the defaulters has responded, cleared the arrears or evacuated the accommodation. Yet the Estates Department is unable to recover the arrears or evict the occupants. This is happening because the defaulters enjoy political clout and bureaucratic patronage. We find no reason why exemplary action should not be taken by the authorities against the defaulters. A few weeks ago, the Government ordered dismissal of about one hundred doctors for absence from duty. This strong decision was appreciated by the people. Why should not the Government take such strong measures as to create an exemplary precedence of punishing the defaulters? They are parasites sucking the blood of the nation. No responsible Government will tolerate the selfishness and highhandedness of these people.
We implore the Government to take strict action against the people who are looting the Estates Department with impunity.
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