91-year-old Padma Shri awardee evicted from govt house: reports

The Centre on Tuesday began eviction of eminent artistes who were allotted government accommodations years ago but which were cancelled in 2014.

Among those evicted is 91-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 PTI.

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.

According to the government's policy, up to 40 artistes can be allotted accommodation under a special quota in the General Pool Residential Accommodation on the recommendation of the culture ministry if they earned under Rs 20,000 a month.

Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court had refused to grant more time to Indian classical artiste Rita Ganguly who had challenged a single judge's decision directing her and others to vacate government allotted residences in the national capital by April-end.

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