UP ex-CMs may breathe easy, no eviction from bungalows

Former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers need not have to vacate their government bungalows here with the state Assembly on Tuesday passing two bills to skirt Supreme Court directive for their eviction within two months.

The Uttar Pradesh Ministers (salaries, allowances and miscellaneous provisions)(Amendment) Bill, 2016 which provides for this facility to former chief ministers for life, was passed by a voice vote. 

The bill was introduced after the apex court on August 1 directed six former UP chief ministers to vacate their official bungalows in the state capital in two months and pay the rent at market rate for the period falling under unauthorised occupation.

“A government residence shall be alloted to a former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, at his/her request, for his/her lifetime, on payment of such rent as may be determined from time to time by the Estate Department of the state government,” the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill says.

The bill also revises salaries and allowances in view of price rise and escalation in cost of living. It provides that chief minister and ministers, minister of state with independent charge and minister of state shall be entitled, throughout the term of his office, a salary of Rs 40,000 per month while the deputy minister will get a salary of Rs 35,000 per month.