Govt withdraws notice to Meira Kumar for recovery of dues

The Government today said it has withdrawn the notice issued to Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar for recovery of outstanding dues of Rs 1.98 crore for occupation of 6, Krishna Menon Marg since 1986 after the demise of her father late Jagjivan Ram.

"On further examination of documents, it has been established that House No 6 Krishna Menon Marg was vacated on 30.11.2002 by the family members of late Smt. Indrani Devi and, therefore, the demand notice for Rs.1.98 crores has been withdrawn," an official statement said.

Last year, the Department of Estates, in an RTI reply, had given a list of 10 persons including "family members of Late Indrani Devi i.e. Smt Mira Kumar (sic)" and dues against them for occupation of bungalows.

The department was replying to a RTI query on pending rent dues towards persons having occupied government premises after losing entitlement.

"During the period January to December, 2011, an amount of about Rs 4.70 crores have been recovered on account of damages i.e. penal rent on account of unauthorized occupation," it said.

A total of 520 allotments were cancelled on account of subletting against 306 cancellations in the year 2010, it said adding that already 350 houses have been got vacated till December, 2011.

Noting the shortage of residential units for government officials, it said that a proposal was in an advance stage of considering and approving a PPP project for re-development of East Kidwai Nagar.

"In the East Kidwai Nagar, it is proposed to develop another 4747 units of Government residential accommodation, with majority of accommodation in lower types i.e. Tye-IV and below," the statement said.