The Centre Has Given Eight Eminent Artists Until May 2 to Vacate Government Bungalows

The Centre on Wednesday asked eight eminent artists to vacate government accommodations by May 2, a day after eviction proceedings were launched against Guru Mayadhar Raut, a 90-year-old Padma Shri awardee and Odissi dancer.

According to a senior Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry official, eight of the 28 artists have still not moved out of their government housing despite multiple notices.

“These eight artists assured us that they were on their way out of their bungalows and were looking for a few more days. They have given us written assurance that they will vacate the premises by May 2, and we have given them time to do so “according to the Press Trust of India, the official said.

The official said a team of officials had been dispatched to Guru Mayadhar Raut’s government bungalow to begin eviction proceedings. His household goods were kept outside the bungalow, according to social media videos and photos.

On the recommendation of the culture ministry, up to 40 artists can be allotted accommodation in the General Pool Residential Accommodation under a special quota if they earn less than 20,000 a month, according to government policy.

The Delhi High Court earlier this month refused to give Indian classical artiste Rita Ganguly more time to appeal a single judge’s decision ordering her and others to vacate government-allotted residences in the national capital by the end of April.

Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Navin Chawla’s bench had said it would not grant even one more day, noting that the single judge had been more than benevolent in granting her two months.

The deadline to vacate the premises had been set by the Centre for December 31, 2020, but the notice was stayed by the high court after the petitions were filed.

If the petitioners did not comply with the court’s February order, the court said it would be open to the Centre taking action.

Bharati Shivaji, Guru V Jayarama Rao, Mayadhar Raut, Ustad F Wasifuddin Dagar, Bharatanatyam dancer Rani Shinghal, Kathak expert Geetanjali Lal, and other artists including KR Subanna, Kamal Sabri, Devraj Dakoji, Kamalini, artist Jatin Das, Pt Bhajan Sopori, and Ganguly had filed appeals.

Vanashree Rao, the wife of Kuchipudi dancer Guru Jayarama Rao, who was given a house in 1987, said they are in the process of leaving.

“We’ve started packing up our belongings. The government is unwilling to listen to our concerns. We’ll be leaving the apartment soon “On Wednesday, Mr Rao told the PTI news agency.

The Directorate of Estates had evicted Lok Sabha member Chirag Paswan from the 12, Janpath bungalow that had been allotted to his late father Ramvilas Paswan as part of its drive against “illegal occupants.”Several BJP MPs who had been given bungalows while serving as ministers were also forced to leave the government facilities.

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