The Supreme Court had caustic words for the unauthorised occupation of government accommodation in New Delhi by politicians, artistes and bureaucrats. The apex court could well say the same of politicians and bureaucrats in Chandigarh.Long after giving up office or after being installed as constitutional functionaries in other states, politicians and superannuated babus continue to enjoy the privilege of staying in government bungalows under the Punjab pool in Chandigarh, all at the burden of the exchequer.Consider these cases from Sector 7, where many of these houses have been allotted :Surjit Singh Barnala: The TN Governor continues to be in possession of Bungalow No 66 which was allotted to him when he was CM.M S Bitta: Former Youth Congress president Maninderjit Singh Bitta, once the target of a terrorist attack, is the occupant of Bungalow No 77. Bitta holds no position in the Punjab government but is president of the All India Anti-Terrorist FrontH S Hanspal: Former Punjab Congress chief lives in Bungalow 69 which, records how, has actually been allotted to Punjab Additional Advocate General C M Munjal.Y S Ratra: Punjab State Electricity Board chairman continues to live in Bungalow No 1, which was allotted to him when he was chief secretary of the state.UT officials said eviction proceedings against Ratra has been initiated under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. As per procedure, Punjab and Haryana make requests for allotment under their respective pools to the UT House Allotment Committee, which is headed by the UT Administrator and include members like the chief secretaries of both the states.Since Chandigarh has no discretion in the matter, the houses are allotted as requested, with the occupants having to pay only the maintainence charges to the UT. Officials said that there are 14 houses allotted under the Haryana pool in Sectors 2, 3, 5, and 7, while 11 under the Punjab pool have been allotted in Sectors 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 16.
