Centre Tells 8 Eminent Artistes To Vacate Government Bungalows By May 2

Delhi High Court had said it would be open for the Centre to take action if the petitioners did not comply with its February order. Several BJP MPs, who had been allotted bungalows when they were ministers, had to also vacate the government facilities.

The Centre on Wednesday asked eight eminent artistes, who were allotted government accommodations years ago but which were cancelled in 2014, to vacate the facilities by May 2, a move that comes a day after eviction proceedings were conducted against 90-year-old Padma Shri awardee and Odissi dancer Guru Mayadhar Raut.

A senior Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry official said out of 28 artistes, there are still around eight who have not moved out of their government accommodations despite multiple notices.

"These eight artistes assured us that they are in the process of vacating their bungalows and sought some more days. They have given us an undertaking in written that they would vacate the facilities by May 2 and we have given them time till then," the official told Press Trust of India.

On Guru Mayadhar Raut's eviction, the official said a team of officials had been sent to his government bungalow for initiating eviction proceedings. Social media videos and pictures showed his household goods of kept outside the bungalow.