CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Sunday issued an order to officers occupying government accommodation to properly maintain the gardens and green areas adjoining the houses, failing which they would face punitive action.
As per the order, the government, like landlords, is entitled to ensure that the trees, gardens, hedges, and shrubs at its residential buildings are properly maintained. The proper upkeep of the amenities would be a condition of the government officials’ tenancy.
The order further states that all trees, planted by tenants or not, in the compound of a government building belong to the government. No trees should be felled. Tenants are also barred from using even the dead or fallen trees in the compound.
During the tenancy period, the tenant is, however, entitled to the value of the fruit, flowers, vegetables, grass or crops sown or raised by him or her. Tenants can’t hire out or lease any portion of his compound for growing crops though there is no bar on employing an outside agency to cultivate the area.
Any advance sale of immature crops or other produce is prohibited. Also, any adjustment of the value of uncut or immature produce is a matter for mutual agreement between the out-going and in-going tenants. The share of responsibilities between in-going and out-going tenants for any expenditure incurred in maintaining the premises properly will be determined according to the circumstances.
The head of the department would be the arbiter in the case of a dispute.
If a residence and an office are situated in the same compound, a reasonable area will be demarcated as attached to the residence.