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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi HC seeks Centre's response to AAP plea against Rs 17 lakh rent demand on former party office
The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the Centre's response in a plea by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seeking the setting aside of a demand of nearly Rs 17 lakh by the Directorate of Estates as rent for the state office allotted to the party that was subsequently cancelled. The party is also seeking the quashing of a letter by the Directorate of Estates on January 17, which AAP claims informed the party 'about the ex parte cancellation of the accommodation' – double suite No. 514, V.P. House, New Delhi. Justice Sachin Datta issued notice to the respondent, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, through its secretary and the Directorate of Estates. The court has sought a response by August 12. According to AAP, on September 14, 2024, 'in an act of mala fide', the Directorate of Estates passed an ex parte order cancelling the allotment of the state party office at 514, V.P. House, New Delhi, 'without issuing any show cause notice or affording an opportunity of hearing' to the party. AAP's plea states that 'the ex parte order dated 14.09.2024 has not been conveyed to the Petitioner to date'. Subsequently, the party was only communicated the decision on January 17, where the Directorate of Estates addressed a letter to AAP, 'belatedly informing the petitioner that their allotment of the subject accommodation was cancelled with effect from 14.09.2024, and the petitioner was called upon to comply with the ex parte cancellation order, along with the ultimatum of being charged damages for any period of overstay beyond 14.09.2024.' On March 6, the party was slapped with a rent demand notice of Rs 6.60 lakh for occupying the premises between September 14, 2024 and March 13, 2025. On May 13, the party was issued a second bill, for occupation of the premises from March 14 until April 29, amounting to Rs 10.32 lakh. The party had handed over the possession on April 30, AAP's advocate, Prateek Chadha, told the court on Monday. Even as the party requested relief by staying the payment of bills, Justice Datta orally remarked, 'You pay this, it is not a big amount, it will be subject to final outcome.'
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Delhi HC issues notice on AAP's plea against cancellation of state party office allotment
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): The Delhi High Court has issued a notice regarding the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s petition challenging the 'ex parte' cancellation of its State Party Office allotment by the Directorate of Estates, along with the subsequent imposition of market-rate rent for the premises. Justice Sachin Datta has scheduled the matter for hearing on August 12. According to the plea, AAP was allotted Double Suite No. 514, VP House, New Delhi, as office space in its capacity as a duly recognised State Party under the existing rules and office memoranda governing government residence allocations. The petition alleges that the Directorate of Estates unilaterally revoked the allotment through an ex parte order dated September 14, 2024, without prior notice or consultation. The party claims it was informed of the cancellation months later, on January 17, 2025, via a letter from Directorate of Estates, which directed compliance with the order. However, AAP asserts that the actual cancellation order has never been officially shared with them to date. The plea also states that the Directorate of Estates (DoE) issued a bill on March 6, 2025, demanding Rs 6,60,361 as market rent for the petitioner's occupation of the allotted premises from September 14, 2024, to March 13, 2025. A subsequent bill, dated May 13, 2025, was issued for Rs 10,32,262, extending the market rent charges for an additional period from March 14, 2025, to April 29, 2025. According to the plea, the Circular issued by DoE on July 10, 2023, regarding revised flat rates for General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) across the country set the license fee at Rs. 5,420 per month for premises measuring 500 sq.m. However, the imposed market rent exceeds this amount by over 1,000 per cent, functioning as a penalty for non-compliance with the ex parte cancellation of the petitioner's lawful allotment. Furthermore, the bills dated March 6, 2025, and May 13, 2025, are legally unsound, as their basis--the ex parte Cancellation Order issued on September 14, 2024--was passed in violation of the principles of natural justice and the Allotment of Government Residence (General Pool in Delhi) Rules, 1963. (ANI)
Mint
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Govt reserves 4% central housing quota for employees with disabilities
The Centre has introduced a 4% reservation in the allotment of General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) for its employees with benchmark disabilities. The new policy, announced by the ministry of housing and urban affairs, aims to ensure greater accessibility and equal opportunity in government housing. The directive, issued under the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, states that all central government employees with benchmark disabilities—defined in Section 34 of the Act—will be eligible for priority allotment of GPRA, according to a statement. These include individuals with conditions such as blindness, low vision, hearing impairments, locomotor disabilities, cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack injuries, and muscular dystrophy. The central government provides about 109,474 residential units under the GPRA scheme across 347 colonies in 61 cities throughout India, shows government data. So, under the new policy, about 4,379 government residential units across the country will be reserved for eligible government employees with benchmark disabilities. Under the revised policy, eligible employees will receive priority in both initial allotments and requests for change of accommodation over the general unified waiting list, the statement said. The benchmark disability is determined as per Section 2(r) of the RPWD Act, which defines a person with at least 40% of a specified disability, either measurable or otherwise, certified by the competent authority. Describing the initiative as a landmark step towards inclusive governance, Minister of housing and urban affairs Manohar Lala Khattar said the measure reflects the government's commitment to equal opportunity for all, aligning with the broader vision of sabka saath, sabka vikas. The decision is also part of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, which seeks to build a more accessible and barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities. 'The allotments will be processed through the government's automated system of allotment (ASA), and eligible applicants must place their bids every month on the eSampada website under the newly introduced Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category,' said Ravi Arora, joint secretary, housing ministry. 'A Unique Disability ID (UDID) card, issued by the government, will serve as valid proof of eligibility. Applicants are required to upload the UDID card to their profile on the eSampada portal, which will be verified by their respective ministries or departments before the application is forwarded to the Directorate of Estates,' said Arora.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt officials with disabilities to get 4% quota in housing pool
The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry on Thursday decided to extend a 4% reservation for persons with disabilities (PwD) in the General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA), which will cover houses up to Type 5, benefiting officials from Assistant Section Officer (ASO) level to Director rank, it is learnt. The Directorate of Estates under the Ministry issued an office memorandum on Thursday applying the reservation. 'In order to promote the rights of People with Disabilities, laid down in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPWD), 2016 the Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has decided to adopt the reservation of 4% for the allotment of GPRA to eligible Government servants,' it said. Those Central government servants who have benchmark disabilities, as laid down in the RPWD Act, will be given priority for allotment of GPRA every month, it said. In order to be considered for accommodation, all government servants can participate in the monthly online bidding process carried out by the Directorate of Estates. 'The eligible PwD applicants would be given priority over the unified waiting list for both initial allotment/change of GPRA. The Unique Disability ID (UDID) card issued by the Government will be a valid document for proof of disability,' the OM said. According to government sources, when a government servant joins as an ASO, it takes about 15 years to be allotted a home due to the shortage of housing. As of now, the waiting period for some categories is up to 18 years, an official said. Some government servants who have disabilities are forced to stay in hostels and away from their families due to the lack of housing, the official said. Overall, the Directorate of Estates manages 1.02 lakh GPRA units across 355 locations in 61 cities.
NDTV
22-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Centre Announces 4% Government Housing Quota For Persons With Disabilities
New Delhi: The Centre will provide 4 per cent reservation for persons with disabilities in the allotment of government housing under the General Pool Residential Accommodation category. The Directorate of Estates under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, which allots accommodation to eligible Central government employees, has issued an office memorandum in this regard. In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said that the "landmark" move is towards inclusive development drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. "Going forward, a reservation of 4 per cent in the allotment of Central government housing will be provided to persons with disabilities, marking a substantial move towards equity, dignity, and accessibility in public services. "This initiative reflects the government's dedication to the empowerment of every citizen and also strengthens the foundation of an inclusive and accessible India," the statement added. In alignment with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the Directorate of Estates has issued the office memorandum to ensure fair access to Central government residential accommodations for persons with disabilities. It also said that Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal has taken a "landmark" step towards inclusive governance.
