Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday handed over the possession of the bungalow she was living to the Union government, the party said. On July 1, the allotment was cancelled and she was given a month to vacate.
In a statement, the communications wing of the All India Congress Committee said Ms. Vadra handed over 35, Lodhi Estate to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). The house keys were accepted by engineers concerned on behalf of the CPWD “after a full inspection establishing that the house was handed over in good condition”. A “vacation report” was issued by the CPWD, it stated.
Priyanka Gandhi wishes BJP MP Anil Baluni who has been allotted her bungalow
The Congress leader had given the CPWD and the Directorate of Estates (DoE) a “full inventory of privately installed fittings, fixtures etc”. “She has paid all electricity, water and previous dues and is awaiting the final assessment for the license fee of the month of July from the DoE due to her on July 31 to close all accounts with reference to the allotment and subsequent cancellation of the lease of the government bungalow. She will be residing in temporary accommodation until a more permanent accommodation in Delhi rented by her is ready for use,” the Congress statement said.
Ms. Vadra was allotted government accommodation in 1997 due to security concerns as she was given Special Protection Group cover. The DoE, under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), on July 1 cancelled the allotment, citing the revocation of her SPG cover. It said she was no longer eligible for government accommodation. In November 2019, her SPG protection was downgraded to Z+ category security.
Spokespersons of the MoHUA and the CPWD did not comment on the matter when reached on Thursday evening.