Friends & caretakers stay in MPs’ flats

Presenting Gautam’s affidavit in the court State Advocate General C J Sawant assured the court of expeditious action against the defaulting residents. The Chief Justice M B Shah and Justice Rajan Kochar adjourned hearing on the petition filed by former Congress MLA Dinanath Kamath on May 4.

Kamath’s petition alleged that the irregularities in the allotment of residential flats in the housing complex had resulted in a loss of Rs 120 crore to the state government. The society, comprising six residential buildings and one commercial building, was set up to provide accommodation to elected representatives in May 1983. However, the petition alleged that flats have been illegally sold, transferred, rented out.

The Collector disclosed to the court that a preliminary inquiry has revealed that three flats have been illegally transferred, 41 given to friends and caretakers, 29 rented out and 80 kept locked.

Gautam’s affidavit stated that the Collectorate has received 35 applications from the building’s residents claiming that they are legal representatives of the original owners, therefore, they should be permitted to stay on. These applications are currently under scrutiny.

The Collector has stated that if a society member does not occupy the flat, it should be handed over to the Collector unless it is required for the bonafide use of any family member. The Collector will pay the flat’s rent to the member. It is also proposed that the society inform the collectorate about the sale and transfer of flats, so that prompt action can be taken against defaulters.

If the society fails to comply with these directives, as laid down in the original lease agreement between the society and the government, the society will lose the land and buildings to the government without monetary compensation.