Chandigarh Administration has slapped a show-cause notice to all the inmates of an erstwhile cheshire home along with other specially-abled inmates, seeking a response as to why they should not be evicted from the premises under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.
These occupants also include a team of 11 wheelchair cricketers that had brought laurels for Chandigarh time and again in the sporting arena and were living in House No 341 at Sector 21-A, Chandigarh – a cheshire home. They have represented not just Chandigarh and Punjab, India as well. Remaining 14 inmates are also specially-abled.
The notice, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, was addressed to “all unauthorised occupants” and few names said, “ I am satisfied for the reason recorded below that you are in an unauthorised occupation of the public premises and that you should be evicted from the said premises.”
While mentioning the grounds, it said, “ the Joint Director Social welfare women and child development vide memo 31.10.2023 has requested to get vacated the occupied premises/ govt property from illegal residents/persons”.
It was in 2015 that the cheshire home was shifted to this house number 341. The cheshire home in Chandigarh was first established on November 5, 2002 with the inspiration and guidance of Lt. Gen JFR Jacob (retired), then Administrator, Chandigarh in Sector 15. It was later shifted to Sector 21, Chandigarh.
The SDM (East) Chandigarh at the behest of the Social Welfare Department of UT Chandigarh has named twenty five inmates residing at the present cheshire home – a 2 kanal house in one of the prime sectors of the city.
Sharmita Bhinder, founder of Empower NGO who has been taking up this cause with the administration said, “These specially-abled men and women who earlier were the residents of the erstwhile cheshire homes were shifted to the present premises in Sector 21-A with the knowledge and consent of Chandigarh Administration where they were being taken care of. And now this eviction notice. We went for a personal hearing as well.”