Income Tax Chief Commissioner's Bungalow required by State Govt to construct World Class Museum – Chief Commissioner asked to vacate
THE residential bungalow at 6, Bailey Road occupied by the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Patna is required by the State Government for construction of a world class Museum. After several rounds of negotiations the applicant agreed to hand over vacant possession of the bungalow in his occupation and to shift to a new residential bungalow at 5-M Strand Road, Patna, now allocated to him.
As the said bungalow at 5-M Strand Road required some repairs and renovations, the High Court had, in its order dated 4th December 2012, directed the State Government to hand over the vacant possession of the bungalow at 5-M Strand Road and to release the fund of Rs. 25 lakhs for repairs of the said bungalow. It is admitted that pursuant to the said direction, the sum of Rs. 25 lakhs was released on 7th December 2012. The vacant possession of the bungalow at 5-M Strand Road was handed over to the Chief Commissioner on 12th December 2012. The High Court had also directed the Chief Commissioner to hand over the vacant possession of the bungalow at 6, Bailey Road, Patna to the State Government as early as possible, latest by 31st March 2013. Now, the Chief Commissioner is before the High Court asking for time up to 15th May 2013. The State Government submitted that the project envisaged by the State Government is worth Five Hundred crores. Having regard to the escalation of construction cost, every month of delay would cause a further loss of Five crores to the State exchequer.
The High Court observed that keeping in view the fund available to the applicant and the machinery available to him, the applicant ought to have adhered to the time-frame decided by the Court with consensus.
The High Court further observed, "we earnestly believe that the applicant will make sincere efforts to complete the necessary repairs and renovations and will hand over the vacant possession of the residential bungalow at 6, Bailey Road in his occupation latest by 30th April 2013."
And we understand that the Chief Commissioner has since vacated the bungalow.