SC sets aside law allowing government bungalows to former UP CMs

Setting aside the provision of the law passed by the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the bench said such bungalows constitute “public property which by itself is scarce and meant for use of current holders of public offices”. The apex court struck down Section 4(3) of the Uttar Pradesh Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981, as amended in 2016, allowing former Chief Ministers of the state to be entitled to allotment of government accommodation for their life time. The amendment was introduced by then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s government in 2016. In its judgment, the top court said that “natural resources, public lands and public goods like government bungalows/official residence are public property that belongs to the people of the country”.

“The ‘Doctrine of Equality’ which emerges from the concepts of justice, fairness must guide the State in the distribution/allocation of the same. The Chief Minister, once he/she demits the office, is at par with the common citizen, though by virtue of the office held, he/she may be entitled to security and other protocols. “But allotment of government bungalow, to be occupied during his/her lifetime, would not be guided by the constitutional principle of equality,” it added.

The bench said amended Section 4(3) of the 1981 Act recognised former holders of public office as a “special class of citizens”, which is “arbitrary and discriminatory” thereby violating the equality clause. “Undoubtedly, Section 4(3) of the 1981 Act would have the effect of creating a separate class of citizens for conferment of benefits by way of distribution of public property on the basis of the previous public office held by them. The top court order came on a plea by NGO Lok Prahari challenging amendments to the Uttar Pradesh legislation allowing former Chief Ministers of the state to continue occupying government bungalows. (IANS)