New Delhi, March 27 The central government has proposed strict penalties for unauthorized occupants of government premises, stating that 40 times the property's license fee will have to be paid as a penalty in the first month, which will progressively increase by 10 percent every subsequent month.
This is part of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, which was introduced by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
Under the proposed amendment, any person found unlawfully occupying public non-residential land may face imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine calculated at five percent of the land value for every year of illegal occupation, or both.
The Bill seeks to amend The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. The proposed amendments also heavily penalize repeat offenders.
For residential premises, repeat violations will attract a penalty of 50 times the license fee for the first month, which will also increase monthly.
This move will pave the way for strict action against those illegally occupying government premises and land.
The proposed changes aim to significantly tighten the legal framework to deter illegal occupation of government land and buildings, with differentiated provisions for residential and non-residential properties.
Individuals who reoccupy public premises after eviction may face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both, in the case of non-residential properties.
"If any person unlawfully occupies any public premises, including land, other than public premises providing residential accommodation, he shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine which shall be five per cent of the land value for every year of occupation, or with both," it stated.
The Bill states that a magistrate convicting such offenders will also be empowered to order summary eviction, without prejudice to other actions under the law.
The Bill further aligns procedural aspects with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, replacing references to the earlier Code of Criminal Procedure.
To ensure effective enforcement, the government has proposed the appointment of adjudicating officers, senior to Estate Officers, to conduct inquiries and impose penalties.
The framework provides for an appeal mechanism, allowing aggrieved persons to challenge orders within 30 days before a higher authority, with a provision for delayed appeals on valid grounds.
Appeals are to be disposed of within 60 days, and unpaid penalties will be recoverable as arrears of land revenue.
The proposed amendments underscore the government's intent to curb illegal occupation of public assets through stricter penalties and a streamlined adjudication process.