The Centre is reviewing the allotment of bungalows to former Governor Buta Singh and former Union Minister Farooq Abdullah as under the Urban Development Ministry guidelines SPG protectees alone can claim stake to allotments on security grounds. The two, however, are in Z+ security category.
Revealing this in an affidavit to Supreme Court, the Ministry has said that the two bungalows occupied by Buta Singh and Farooq Abdullah fall in Type VII category General Pool. Singh is in occupation of 11A Teen Murti lane since February 7, 2006 while Abdullah was allotted 11, Teen Murti lane in November 2009 on becoming the Union Cabinet Minister.
The affidavit came in response to a query by the apex court whether the Government was scrupulously following five per cent discretionary quota in allotment of bungalows in the General Pool. The Ministry informed that the two allotments were made under discretionary quota on security grounds as both enjoy Z+ security cover.
The affidavit hinted that all may not be well with the above allotment as security ground is applicable only to SPG protectees. “The Government is examining the matter and yet to take decision as they are Z+ security category but guidelines provide for allotment on security grounds only to SPG protectees,” said the affidavit, filed by Deputy Director of Estates Swarnali Banerjee.
The Ministry also informed the court that the Government was also taking stock of allotments made during the last few years which remained allotted on paper but was never occupied by allottees. Two such cases came to light in the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation meeting held on November 12 relating to former Minister Murli Deora and senior lawyer KTS Tulsi. “Other such allotments are also under review,” the affidavit said.
Among the houses in the lok Sabha pool, 364 defeated MPs have evacuated their official residences so far while nine cases are pending in courts.