Gauhati High Court rules govt employees must vacate quarters for redevelopment

The Gauhati High Court has ruled that a government employee cannot claim a right to continue occupying an official quarter when the government has decided to demolish the premises for redevelopment in the larger public interest. Justice N. Unni Krishnan Nair dismissed a petition by Mary Megu, a staff artist in the Arunachal Pradesh Art and Culture Department, who was allotted a quarter in Naharlagun in 1998 and asked to vacate it in 2026.

The court noted the state's policy decision to dismantle old quarters at D-Sector, Naharlagun and construct a multi-storied building to house more employees who lack government accommodation. The petitioner was given options of alternative temporary accommodation or house rent allowance until the new flats are built, and would get priority allotment in the new building. The court held that the policy decision was taken in public interest and no prejudice was caused to the petitioner.