Bad news for unauthorised occupants of public property: Modi govt plans this crackdown - Check key points

In what would be a crackdown on unauthorised occupants of public premises, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre is set to introduce The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2019 in the Parliament soon. A decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday last. According to the government, "the amendments would facilitate smooth and speedy eviction of unauthorised occupants from government residences, and those vacant residences will be available for allotment to eligible persons on maturity of their turn in the waiting list."

Here are key points to know about the new Bill

- The new bill will replace the "The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2017". 
- The amendment bill will be introduced in the ensuing Session of Parliament. 
- The new bill seeks amendments in Section 2, Section 3 and Section 7 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, by inserting clause (fa) before clause (fb) in Section 2, a new section 3B below section 3A of Section 3 and a
new sub-section 3A below sub-Section (3) under Section 7 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.
- After coming into effect, the proposed amendments would enable the Estate officer to apply summary proceedings for evicting unauthorised occupants from residential accommodations and to levy damage charges for accommodation held during the period of
litigation.
- It will result in speedy eviction of unauthorised occupants from Government residences and increased availability of residential accommodations for eligible persons.

Why the new Bill

Under provisions of PPE Act, 1971, the Government of India has to evict unauthorised occupants from Government accommodations. However, the eviction proceedings take an unusually long time, thereby reducing the availability of Government accommodations to new incumbents. The new bill intends to speed up the process.