Centre Evicts 91-Yr-Old Padma Shri Awardee Guru Mayadhar Raut From Govt Accommodation

New Delhi: The central government has started to evict eminent artists who were allotted government accommodation that was cancelled in 2014, starting with 90-year-old Padma Shri awardee and Odissi dancer Guru Mayadhar Raut.

According to reports, nearly 12 other artists, including Mohiniyattam dancer Bharati Shivaji, Dhrupad singer Ustad F Wasifuddin Dagar, Kuchipudi dancer Guru V Jayarama Rao, Rani Shinghal, lithographer KR Subanna, Kathak expert Geetanjali Lal, sarangi player Kamal Sabri, Kamalini, Devraj Dakoji, artist Jatin Das, Pt Bhajan Sopori and singer Rita Ganguly, are also expected to face similar proceedings soon.

These artists, including singers, classical dancers, painters, and photographers have been residing in government bungalows for decades under a discretionary quota.

Reportedly, some allotments were distributed in the 1980s, while others were distributed in the early 2000s.

Now, giving a reference to the change in policy which expired in 2008, the government has asked these veterans to vacate their bungalows.

As per a report in India Today, the government has also asserted that the artists have not paid licence fee arrears for many years.

However, reacting on the same, Odissi dancer and Padma awardee Guru Mayadhar Raut alleged that he was not given enough time to vacate the premises.

''They came in and began throwing our belongings. We would have left if they had given us some notice period,'' he added.

Meanwhile, the government and High Court are of the view that the artists cannot remain on government premises after the allotment time has expired.

In November 2020, the cabinet committee on Accommodation decided to waive damage charges accumulated by 27 artists, worth Rs 32.09 crore, for overstaying at the allotted houses beyond 2014 and they were given time till December 31 that year to vacate.

As per the government's policy, up to 40 artists can be allotted accommodation on the recommendation of the Culture Ministry if they earned under Rs 20,000 a month.

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