JOIN USAfter successfully getting most official houses that were being overstayed in vacated, the NDA government has begun formulating a plan to increase the number of flats available to MPs with a new housing complex in Lutyens’ Delhi.
Bungalows on North Avenue—from number 1 to 60—have not yet been given to MPs, as they are being readied for demolition so that new ones can be built; provided the blueprint gets environmental and other mandatory clearances. After the plan is cleared, the government will consider demolishing 400 houses in installments, including single-storey and independent ones.
The North and South Avenues approaching Rashtrapati Bhavan and houses adjoining these roads are earmarked for MPs.
In addition to these, there are 52 multi-storey flats for parliamentarians. The Lok Sabha Housing Committee, however, has done away with guest accommodations as they were being abused by politicians to house power brokers and corporate representatives. This is yet to be streamlined by the Rajya Sabha.
According to government sources, the allotment process for new MPs and ministers is almost over and only a few people, such as RJD chief Lalu Prasad, wife of late Congress leader Arjun Singh and ailing former BJP leader Jaswant Singh have sought time to vacate their houses. In fact, more than 360 flats out of 543 earmarked for the Lower House are in ready-to-move condition.
The government has taken the case of Arjun Singh’s wife staying in the official house for cancellation to the Cabinet committee on accommodation, as the same panel had granted time till 2016.
Lalu and Congress leader K Chiranjeevi, a Rajya Sabha MP, have also told the government that they will vacate their houses soon. Congress MP Arvind Sharma had gone to court to stall the ministry’s move to get him out of the house, but has been asked by a judge to vacate by December 17.