Cops face rap for overstay in govt quarters

GURGAON: Haryana's director general of police S N Vashisht has written to police heads across the state to initiate action against officers who have not vacated their government quarters despite being transferred to other cities.
The move comes after TOI reported on December 20 that several IPS and Haryana Police Service (HPS) officers were issued notices for retaining their allotted accommodation beyond the stipulated time.
The DGP has asked officials to prepare a list of all officers who have overstayed in their allotted accommodation beyond the permissible limit, and send them notices to immediately evacuate the premises. Disciplinary action like collection of penalty rent should also be initiated against the errant officers, the DGP wrote, in his letter dated December 22. "This (overstay) deprives the entitled officers/officials of facility of government accommodation for which they are entitled, besides affecting their efficiency and availability. In this regard, relevant action be taken as per government instructions dated 6.6.2003 regarding retention of accommodation," reads the letter.
According to officials, under normal circumstances, police personnel can stay in the accommodation allotted to them for up to two months after transfer, and an additional two months on medical grounds of self or members of the family, or on ground of children's education. Sources said that despite having been transferred elsewhere, at present, over 50 police and other officers are occupying quarters in police lines in Gurgaon, especially inspectors in crime units.
Officials told TOI that the rules say if an officer does not vacate the premises after the stipulated time, the defaulter will be charged penal rent that would be 300 times the licence fee. If the officer does not vacate after three months of overstay, twice the market rate can be levied to disincentivize them.
The state government had earlier issued notices to eight officers
. In all, they were asked to cough up an outstanding amount of over Rs 66 lakhs, which was calculated at twice the market rate. Sindhu alone was asked to pay over Rs 28 lakh
. However, a senior police official said none of the eight officers have vacated their accommodation yet, and have also not paid the penalty. But he added that they will have to vacate soon and pay the penalty.