Politicians, bureaucrats and other government employees will not be allowed no longer to overstay in the bungalows or flats in Lutyens' Delhi by paying market rent, a practice which was prevalent during the UPA regime, said urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu. "Government is not out to make money through collection of market rent. Priority is to give everyone his due as per rules. The government's efforts in the matter of streamlining allotment of government bungalows is part of the larger architecture of ensuring rule of law," he clarified.
"Having lived in Lutyens' zone for long, they are keen to remain there. Now, most such VIPs will be accommodated in the Commonwealth Games Village," said an official of urban development ministry. The Officials said that during the UPA regime, the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation (CCA) indiscriminately regularized overstay. When the extended time came to an end, requests for further extension started coming, but the NDA government had to say sorry, whether it was the case of Lalu Prasad or the wife of former minister Arjun Singh.
The request for extensions to keep bungalows was sought on various grounds such as children's education, medical grounds, AIIMs being nearer and security. But the government has made it clear, that government houses will be allotted to only for private persons who have Z plus category security.
With the defeat of almost all the UPA ministers, “it was a Herculean task to make way for new ministers," an official said. Even after a year of the new government took charge, four ministers including a Cabinet minister are still waiting for an official accommodation as per their entitlement.
For clearing the mess and there is no discrimination, rules won't be bent for anyone. Citing the example of Yashwant Sinha, when the former finance minister was told that it would be difficult to grant him an extension, the veteran BJP leader moved out in a week, Naidu said.
Allotment of government houses had almost become a real estate activity given the clamour for an address in the VIP area. There is more clarity now. Besides VIPs, several chairmen of tribunals and commissions are also entitled to government bungalows.
By Premji
