Centre asks IWPC to vacate bungalow, pay Rs 18.88 lakh for ‘unauthorised occupation’

Last May, the Directorate of Estates under the Ministry had issued notices to the IWPC and the Foreign Correspondents Club to vacate the premises allotted to them by July 31 as their allotment had not been extended by the government.

In a letter to the IWPC president, the Directorate of Estates on Monday said IWPC had been requested to find alternate premises and vacate the bungalow by July 31, 2022. “However, the house has not been vacated by you till date,” it read.

“A total of Rs 18,88,333 is payable as damages for unauthorised occupation of the house w.e.f. 01.08.2022 to 10.04.2023. It is requested to pay the damages and vacate the house at the earliest failing which eviction proceedings shall be initiated against you under the Public Premises (eviction of unauthorised occupants), Act, 1971,” the letter said.

The letter, which was sent by speed post, carried the date of “10.04.2022” and was subsequently corrected by the Directorate through a corrigendum to carry Monday’s date. “The other contents of the letter will remain the same,” it said.

The government had first cancelled the allotment of the bungalow in 2021, however, several extensions had been given till July 31, 2022. Since then, the matter remained in limbo.

When contacted for comment, an IWPC source said they had received the letter and would decide on the next course of action.