Social welfare department preps to oust illegal occupants from hostels

BENGALURU: The Social Welfare Department has a big problem on hand — evicting those living illegally in hostels run by it. Due to the large number of illegal occupants, the department is facing financial losses and has now come up with a new plan to reduce illegal occupants in its hostels.

Of late, there have been an increasing number of complaints of people illegally staying in the Social Welfare Departmental hostels provided for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe community students. They are living in government hostels, enjoying the accommodation, food and other facilities. The department is facing a financial burden due to such unauthorized occupants, and the authorities concerned have now planned to take action against them in all the hostels run by the department.

Social Welfare Department Commissioner Rakesh Kumar has warned that legal action will be taken if any students are found staying illegally.

Rakesh Kumar said the department has received many complaints regarding illegal occupants since many days. The officials have been instructed to prevent any illegal occupancy as it affects the revenue of the department. The department has taken this seriously and decided to control it, he said.

He further said that there are more than 1,900 hostels across the state, and the government is spending crores on their maintenance. Illegal occupants become an additional burden and hence, the department will keep a close watch on such occupants and will pay surprise visits to such hostels. “We have already implemented the plan and will address the complaints wherever and whenever it arises”, he added.