SC eye on expelled LS member occupying govt house

HYDERABAD: Manda Jagannadham, an expelled Lok Sabha member from Telugu Desam Party has caught the attention of the Supreme Court. This, for continuing to occupy a quarter meant for government staff.
Jagannadham, who represents Nagakurnool Lok Sabha constituency (SC-Reserved) of Mahabubnagar district, was allotted the quarter No: B-27/F1 at Madannapet more than 15 years ago and did not vacate despite being asked to do so by the Estate Officer, Hyderabad-Secunderabad Government Quarters.
He was alloted the quarters when he was in state government service before taking the plunge into politics.
He, however, continued to occupy it though he was not entitled to. The Supreme Court on December 3, 2008 asked the chief secretary to file an affidavit if Jagannadham had the state government's permission to occupy the quarter.
The Supreme Court responded when Estate Officer, J Subba Rayudu who retired last month, filed an affidavit on July 21, 2008 mentioning that Jagannatham was an unauthorised occupant.
"I am paying the penal rent regularly. Sometimes, I use this quarter as my camp office," Jagannadham told TOI.
General administration (accom) department's principal secretary Prabhakar D Thomas told TOI that the data on penal rent and arrears was being collected.
It may be mentioned here that on December 15, Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee had disqualified the MP when he voted in favour of the Congress-led UPA government in Parliament defying the TDP whip.