New Delhi: The government on Wednesday directed Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to vacate her government bungalow in Delhi by August 1. In an official letter issues to the Congress leader, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs stated that her allotment stands cancelled from today. ALSO WATCH | Rahul Takes Poetic Jibe At PM Modi, How BJP Will Respond To Congress Leader?
The notice issued today read: "Consequent upon withdrawal of SPG protection and grant of Z+ security cover by Ministry of Home Affairs, which does not have provision for allotment/retention of government accommodation on security ground to you, the allotment of Type 6B house number 35, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi is hereby cancelled with effect from 01/07/2020," said the ministry's notice.
Going by the order, Priyanka has been advised to vacate the house on or before 1st August. Any delay beyond this will attract damage charges or penal rent as per rules.
The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation after the Central government withdrew SPG security from Priyanka. She was allotted the residence at Lodhi Estate in the heart of the national capital on the recommendation of the SPG in 1997.
However, in a December 2000 decision, the cabinet committee agreed upon not lending the government accommodation private person, other than those protected by SPG. Three years later, the government decided to charge a special rate of the licence fee, that is 20 times the normal rent from such allottees.
The Central government in December last year withdrew the Special Protection Group (SPG) cover given to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The decision was taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) after reviewing the security cover of the three Congress leaders.
The Central government has decided to provide them Z plus security, with CRPF personnel now guarding the members of Gandhi family.
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