Bihar Government Bungalow
By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The Building Construction Department has issued orders directing former Chief Minister Rabri Devi to vacate her official residence at 10 Circular Road, triggering a fresh political row in Bihar over the allotment and retention of government accommodation.
The issue of official residences at Bihar Central Pool has now escalated, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) seeking answers from the Building Construction Department over the alleged violation of rules by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members. The party has accused Jitan Ram Manjhi, Sanjay Jha and Devesh Chandra Thakur of unauthorised occupation of government bungalows in Patna.
RJD national spokesperson Prof Naval Kishore Yadav, in a letter to the department, questioned why some leaders continue to occupy Bihar Central Pool bungalows despite becoming Members of Parliament, even though rules require them to vacate such accommodation.
In a separate letter addressed to the Principal Secretary of the Building Construction Department, Prof Yadav pointed out that Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha and Lok Sabha MP Devesh Chandra Thakur had been allotted Central Pool residences in Patna in their capacity as minister and Speaker respectively. However, both have since been allotted accommodation in Delhi, yet their Patna bungalows have not been vacated.
The RJD has asked whether political influence is behind the delay in vacating these bungalows. The party also sought clarification on whether the concerned MPs are paying ten times the prescribed rent, as required under the rules, or continuing to occupy the government accommodation without any additional charges.
The RJD spokesperson alleged that the Building Construction Department has so far failed to clarify the position. The department has neither specified when the bungalow will be vacated nor disclosed how much penal rent has been recovered so far under the rules.
Raising another serious issue, Prof Yadav questioned whether there is a basement within the bungalow that is being concealed or protected, and whether this is the reason the premises have not yet been vacated. The party has demanded a clear explanation on this point as well.
The letter also questioned the continued stay of Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in a Central Pool bungalow in Patna. The RJD asked in what capacity he is using the residence, whether the bungalow can also be allotted to his sons, and whether seniority norms permit such an arrangement.
The RJD has demanded that the Building Construction Department place the full facts of the matter in the public domain, clarify by when the bungalow will be vacated, and disclose how many times the normal rent has been recovered so far as penal charges. Following these questions over government accommodation, political circles in the state are abuzz.
Meanwhile, the Building Construction Department has allotted a new building at 39 Harding Road to Rabri Devi in place of her official residence at 10 Circular Road. Since the order directing her to vacate 10 Circular Road, a war of words has continued between the ruling party and the Opposition. JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar had earlier claimed that there is a basement at the 10 Circular Road residence.
Now, the RJD has begun questioning the allotment of government bungalows to senior JD(U) leaders and NDA allies, asking under what authority these leaders have been provided official accommodation in Bihar.
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