Even as the Delhi Government is hunting for an official accommodation for the incumbent Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues, former Ministers of the Sheila Dikshit-led government would soon have to vacate the official bungalows in which they have been living for the past several years.
Four of the six former Cabinet Ministers were allotted government accommodation at different locations in the city. Former PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan and Health Minister Dr. A.K. Walia opted to live in their personal homes at Behra Enclave and Bharti Artist Colony, respectively.
While former Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely lives in a government bungalow on Shamnath Marg near the Vidhan Sabha, the Power Minister was allotted an accommodation on DDU Marg near ITO. Similarly, former Women and Child Development Minister Kiran Walia and ex-Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami occupy government bungalows at Satya Marg in Chanakyapuri of Central Delhi.
While Mr. Ramakant Goswami told The Hindu “he would be vacating the official residence by Monday”, other Ministers said they are still looking for an alternate arrangement.
“I don’t have any personal accommodation in Malviya Nagar. So I have started looking for an alternate arrangement. I think the time limit set to vacate the bungalows is a bit less as I haven’t got enough time to look for a house for myself. While I am no more an MLA, my residence is flooded with party workers and well wishers,” said Ms. Kiran Walia, adding “However, I would follow the rules and pay rent, if required, for the period I occupy the property beyond the prescribed limit.”
According to the officials in the Public Works Department, Ministers are required to vacate the official accommodation within a month of appointment of the new government. “A notice is served to the occupants after completion of one month. The occupant is required to vacate the property within 15 days of the notice being served. If they want extension of the allotment, they need to pay rent which is fixed by the department,” said a senior PWD official.
The Ministers, however, said no notice have been served to them as yet. “No notice has been served till date. While I would not be able to commit a date as to when I would vacate the bungalow, I would follow the rules and act accordingly,” said Mr. Haroon Yusuf.
