Who will throw these VIP squatters out?

22 politicians under general pool alone

danish

Danish Raza | February 23, 2010


File photo of former minister Jagdish Tytler, who is one of the squatters
File photo of former minister Jagdish Tytler, who is one of the squatters

As many as 22 politicians continue to be unauthorised occupants of government bungalows in prime locations across New Delhi.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal, a Delhi-based RTI activist got this information from the director of estates (ministry of urban development) in response to an application he had filed in December 2009. Besides other information, Agrawal had sought the latest list of unauthorised occupants of government accommodation in New Delhi.

As per the information, Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Renuka Chowdhury are occupying 3, GRG Road and 76, Lodi Estate respectively. While the leader of Lok Janshakti Party, Ram Vilas Paswan is the occupant of 12, Janpath, the family of late prime minister VP Singh continues to occupy 1, Teen Murti Marg.

Others in the list include senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani, Ashwini Kumar, JS Sarma, Neera Shastri and KP Singh.

Agrawal was provided the list of only the general pool. “This is incomplete information," Agrawal said, "I also want the list of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha pools. I have filed an appeal before the appellate authority.”.

Agrawal had also asked if the government had taken steps such as throwing out goods of unauthorised occupants, as was done in the case of former parliamentarian Ramdas Athawale of Republican Party of India. “Such steps are taken as and when considered necessary,” said the reply by JP Rath, deputy director of estates.

As per the rulebook, only one bungalow is allowed for the office of a political party. To the query as to why Congress and BJP were allotted more than one bungalow, the response was that the allotment of additional bungalows have been made with the approval of the competent authority i.e. the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation.

Agrawal has now demanded the copy of the said approval and file notings regarding the same.
 

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