No government bungalows for former chief ministers; SC strikes down UP law

The Supreme Court (SC) today struck down a law brought in 2016 in Uttar Pradesh assembly, providing lifetime housing to former chief ministers. The Court in its order said that Former CMs of the state are not entitled to government bungalows.

While striking down the UP govt's law granting permanent residential accommodation to former CMs, Supreme Court said, Section 4(3) of UP Ministers (salaries, allowances & miscellaneous provisions) Act, 2016 is unconstitutional, reported ANI.

Any former CM currently living in a government bungalow will have to vacate it now.


The apex court said that once such persons demit public office, there is nothing to distinguish them from the common man.

In August 2016, the apex court had ruled that former CMs were not entitled to have any government accommodation. However, then Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh brought a bill the same month allowing former chief ministers to occupy government bungalows indefinitely.

The 2016 legislation in Uttar Pradesh was challenged by an NGO called Lok Prahari.

The apex court had on April 19 reserved its verdict on an NGO's plea challenging amendments to the UP legislation allowing ex-chief ministers of the state to continue occupying government bungalows.

At the time, those affected by the SC order were Union home minister and BJP leader Rajnath Singh, Rajasthan governor Kalyan Singh, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, BSP supremo Mayawati and Congress leaders N D Tiwari and Ram Naresh Yadav.

(With agency inputs)