Notification regarding appointment of Estate Officer for various projects in SJVN ltd under section 3 of public premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act 1971

## Policy Analysis Report: Notification Regarding Estate Officers for Public Premises Eviction **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Ministry of Power, Government of India, published on June 12, 2025. This notification designates specific officers as "estate officers" under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. These officers, equivalent to gazetted officers of the Government of India, are empowered to exercise the powers and perform the duties related to eviction of unauthorized occupants from public premises for specific projects within various organizations, including SJVN and Chenab Projects. The designation is effective for a period of three years. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of a notification from the Ministry of Power, focusing on the designation of Estate Officers. The analysis is solely based on the information contained within the provided policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** This notification does not amend a pre-existing policy; instead, it is the implementation of Section 3(a) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, by designating estate officers. * **Core Objective(s):** The primary objective, as inferred from the text and its reference to the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, is to facilitate the lawful eviction of unauthorized occupants from public premises associated with specific power projects. This aims to protect government property and ensure its appropriate use. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **New Policy:** The notification addresses the need to efficiently manage and protect public premises owned or controlled by the Central Government and its entities, specifically in the context of power projects. The policy likely responds to ongoing or anticipated issues with unauthorized occupation of these premises, which could impede project development, create legal disputes, or compromise the security of infrastructure. The underlying Act provides the legal framework, and this notification provides the administrative mechanism. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **New Policy:** This notification specifically designates officers as "estate officers" for specific projects, who are granted the power to carry out responsibilities given by the The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. * **Designation of Estate Officers:** The core provision is the appointment of specific individuals, holding positions like General Manager, Senior Manager, and Deputy General Manager, as estate officers. The notification specifies the names, employee numbers, and designations of these officers. * **Project-Specific Authority:** Each estate officer's authority is limited to specifically named projects. For example, Shri Hitesh Kapur is the estate officer for SJVN Shimla, Parwanoo, and Chandigarh, while Smt. Rajinder Singh is responsible for the Luhri Hydroelectric Project, Stage-I. * **Duration of Appointment:** The appointments are for a fixed term of three years, starting from the date of the notification's publication (June 12, 2025). * **Legal Basis:** The appointments are made under the authority of clause (a) of section 3 of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 (40 of 1971). **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * The designated estate officers themselves, who are now vested with specific legal powers and responsibilities. * SJVN, Chenab Projects and other organizations. * Individuals or entities that are or could be considered unauthorized occupants of public premises related to the listed projects. * The Ministry of Power, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, within the power sector. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Power is the central agency responsible for issuing the notification. The designated estate officers are responsible for implementing the Act within their respective project areas. * **Timelines or Procedures:** The notification establishes a three-year term for the designated officers. The procedures for eviction are governed by the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, which is not detailed in the notification. * The date of notification is June 12, 2025 **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** * **New Policy:** The intended outcomes of this notification include: * More effective and efficient eviction of unauthorized occupants from public premises related to power projects. * Improved protection of government property and assets. * Reduced legal disputes and delays associated with unauthorized occupation. * Facilitation of smooth project implementation and operation. **9. Conclusion:** The notification designates estate officers under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, for specific power projects, providing a clear administrative structure for managing and protecting public premises. This notification empowers designated officers to address and resolve issues related to unauthorized occupation, ultimately contributing to the efficient operation and security of power projects. It's significance lies in its providing a clear and specific designation of authority for enforcement of the Act.

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