High-Ranking Officials Hold on to Government Bungalows, New Officers Left Struggling for Housing in Bhopal

Bhopal: The capital city of Madhya Pradesh is facing a housing crisis as influential officials and politicians continue to occupy government bungalows long after their transfers or tenures have ended. Despite clear rules mandating that government residences be vacated within six months of a transfer, many former officers and political figures are refusing to relinquish their accommodations.

Some officers have even retained bungalows in Bhopal while holding field postings in other districts. The Directorate of Estate Management has expressed concern over this practice, noting that new officers arriving in the city are struggling to find suitable housing.

The department has now taken a firm stance. Notices have been issued to seven senior officials, including Damoh Collector Sudhir Kumar Kochar, Rajgarh Collector Maheep Tejaswi, and Ratnakar Jha, as well as a few politicians. Sudhir Kumar Kochar, for instance, was transferred to Damoh over two years ago, yet he continues to occupy his Bhopal bungalow. Similarly, former minister Rampal Singh has not vacated his Shivaji Nagar residence after losing an election, and the family of the late BJP leader Prabhat Jha still maintains possession of their government accommodation.

Officials at the Directorate of Estate Management say that the reluctance of former occupants to vacate bungalows is causing severe difficulties for incoming officers. In a stern warning, the department has stated that bungalows must be vacated within a week, failing which forceful eviction proceedings will be initiated. This move is seen as part of the state government’s broader effort to instill discipline and efficiency in administration.

However, despite the department’s strict directives, several high-profile individuals continue to flout the rules, leaving new officers scrambling for housing and highlighting a persistent challenge in Bhopal’s government accommodations system.