As per RTI application filed by activist Anil Galgali it has been revealed that former Medical Education Minister Dr Vijaykumar Gavit violated rules by continuing the occupation of his plush Government Quarter for 2 years after he ceased to be a minister. He has also not bothered to pay rent and other dues on this account, which now stands at Rs 44 lakh. Dr Gavit is a ruling party BJP MLA and his daughter Heena is sitting MP of the same party.
Earlier, Galgali had exposed then Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse’s irregular overstay and his refusal to pay rent and other charges to the Government treasury for the same. Dr Gavit was alloted ‘Suruchi’ Flat as Minister during previous Congress-NCP regime. On 20th March 2014 he resigned from Ministry to join the BJP, but continued to occupy the ministerial house.
According to PWD rules, once a person ceases to be a minister he is allowed a “free stay” in government accommodation for 15 days. If he chooses to stay for longer duration then he should seek permission of the government and pay rent on per square foot of space occupied by him. Gavit surrendered the bungalow on 29 July 2016. He has not paid the rent charged on his overstay. PWD has recently served him a notice on 2 Jan 2017 asking him to pay the outstanding amount of Rs 43, 84,500.
Galgali has urged the government to recover the outstanding rent from Gavit. “If he fails to clear his dues, his monthly pay and allowances should be stopped. Such irresponsible behaviour by a ruling party MLA sends out a wrong signal to the masses,” said Galgali.
