The government has decided to allocate 12 highways – previously occupied by Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Bilas Paswan until his death in October 2020 – to President Ram Nath Kobind as his retirement home. Kobind’s term ends on July 24.
Although the bungalow was allotted to Union Railway and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav in August 2021, he could not go there as it was occupied by Paswan’s family. “Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav was allotted another bungalow at 32 Prithviraj Road, where he has moved,” said a senior official in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
In March this year, the government vacated the bungalow for Paswan’s family. Although the family sought more time, the Delhi High Court dismissed their application and refused to intervene in the eviction process initiated by the Estate Department under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Under the President’s Allowances and Pensions Act, 1951, all retired presidents are entitled to a rent-free furnished accommodation, including the maintenance of the Secretariat staff.
As per the rules of the Directorate of Estates, the Type VIII bungalow, which has seven rooms with household support quarters, is also allotted to ministers, members of the Rajya Sabha and senior members of the judiciary.