BJP and Congress Continue to Retain Lutyens Zone Bungalows Despite Having Built Their Headquarters and Acquired Land
As per policy, political parties must vacate bungalows within three years of acquiring land or completing office construction.
Image Source: Sunday Guardian
New Delhi: Despite constructing their own headquarters or acquiring land for offices, two major national political parties continue occupying government bungalows in Lutyens’ Delhi, in violation of norms.
As per policy, political parties must vacate bungalows within three years of acquiring land or completing office construction. However, both BJP and Congress currently occupy two bungalows each.
In 2018, the Directorate of Estates under the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry issued notices to Congress to vacate four government accommodations. So far, Congress has vacated two of these but continues to use bungalows on Akbar Road and Raisina Road for its national and youth wing offices. Congress recently completed construction of its headquarters on Kotla Road, with the inauguration set for January 15, yet there is no indication of vacating the bungalows, reportedly citing the BJP’s similar non-compliance.
BJP, which inaugurated its headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg in February 2018 after being allotted two plots there, still occupies bungalows at 11 Ashoka Road and 14 Pandit Pant Marg, nearly five years later.
Under the 2012 policy for land allotment to national political parties, parties occupying bungalows or suites at Vithalbhai Patel House or other accommodations must vacate them immediately upon constructing new offices or within three years of acquiring vacant plots.
A source revealed that around six bungalows in Lutyens’ Delhi remain occupied by political parties, with no clarity on when they will be vacated. Officials acknowledge that issuing fresh notices to political parties on this matter remains a “sensitive” issue. In June 2022, then Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that the process of evictions was underway and would apply to all political parties.
Team Profile
- Freelance Journalist
- Aryan Gulati is a dedicated media student based in Meerut with a wealth of experience in various newspapers and media houses. He has numerous published articles and specializes in political and crime news writing, demonstrating a strong commitment to impactful journalism.
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