01-01-2006, 01:31 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Andhra Congress MP razes Lutyens house
New Delhi, Dec. 31: Rajya Sabha member Gireesh Kumar Sanghi has razed the bungalow the Union government allotted him at 7, Talkatora Road in Lutyensâ Delhi. In its place he has built a palatial house that now covers more space. The Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh was allotted the house in April 2005. In just eight months, Central Public Works Department (CPWD) officials claim, he razed the house and expanded it to cover most of the available space. This despite the fact that in New Delhiâs Lutyens Zone the rules do not permit any construction or alteration.
This is not the first time that such violations have taken place in the VIP zone. But the âextentâ of the violation by Mr Sanghi has angered CPWD officials. This correspondent was not allowed to enter the premises but could see through the gates that the house was still under construction and was massive when compared to the smaller accommodation available to other members of Parliament on Talkatora Road. The construction has spread to the area that in other houses is the lawn. Even CPWD officials, responsible for the maintenance of the building, are not being allowed access.
When contacted, Mr Sanghi denied the allegations, claiming that there had been <b>no deviations from the norms and that âsome minor alterations had been done to suit Vaastuâ</b>. He added: âFor such changes we need not take permission. The CPWD is a liar.â
However, a senior CPWD official claimed, âAfter getting the allotment, he demolished the entire house and, in its place, another structure has come up in violation of norms. The new construction is much more spacious than the previous one.â But the officials were unable to explain why they just stood by and watched instead of intervening at the onset to check the construction.
The staff at Mr Sanghiâs residence refused to let this correspondent inside the gate of the bungalow, saying no one lived in the house. âNo one is staying here at present. All the cars that you see inside the premises have been parked for the last several days. We do not know who the owners are,â they said. From the gate this correspondent could see some labourers at work, apparently giving finishing touches to the construction of the last eight months, as claimed by the CPWD officials.
A worker in the neighbourhood said the building material was being ferried from the back lane while the local police turned a blind eye to the violation. âThis shows how big people can manipulate laws. Rules are meant for poor people only,â said a staff member of a nearby bungalow. âWe have written to the Prime Ministerâs Office about this massive illegal alteration from the Lutyens bungalow and have also informed the Rajya Sabha house committee, but we are yet to get a reply. Till then we cannot do anything,â the official added.
deccanchronicle.com
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New Delhi, Dec. 31: Rajya Sabha member Gireesh Kumar Sanghi has razed the bungalow the Union government allotted him at 7, Talkatora Road in Lutyensâ Delhi. In its place he has built a palatial house that now covers more space. The Congress MP from Andhra Pradesh was allotted the house in April 2005. In just eight months, Central Public Works Department (CPWD) officials claim, he razed the house and expanded it to cover most of the available space. This despite the fact that in New Delhiâs Lutyens Zone the rules do not permit any construction or alteration.
This is not the first time that such violations have taken place in the VIP zone. But the âextentâ of the violation by Mr Sanghi has angered CPWD officials. This correspondent was not allowed to enter the premises but could see through the gates that the house was still under construction and was massive when compared to the smaller accommodation available to other members of Parliament on Talkatora Road. The construction has spread to the area that in other houses is the lawn. Even CPWD officials, responsible for the maintenance of the building, are not being allowed access.
When contacted, Mr Sanghi denied the allegations, claiming that there had been <b>no deviations from the norms and that âsome minor alterations had been done to suit Vaastuâ</b>. He added: âFor such changes we need not take permission. The CPWD is a liar.â
However, a senior CPWD official claimed, âAfter getting the allotment, he demolished the entire house and, in its place, another structure has come up in violation of norms. The new construction is much more spacious than the previous one.â But the officials were unable to explain why they just stood by and watched instead of intervening at the onset to check the construction.
The staff at Mr Sanghiâs residence refused to let this correspondent inside the gate of the bungalow, saying no one lived in the house. âNo one is staying here at present. All the cars that you see inside the premises have been parked for the last several days. We do not know who the owners are,â they said. From the gate this correspondent could see some labourers at work, apparently giving finishing touches to the construction of the last eight months, as claimed by the CPWD officials.
A worker in the neighbourhood said the building material was being ferried from the back lane while the local police turned a blind eye to the violation. âThis shows how big people can manipulate laws. Rules are meant for poor people only,â said a staff member of a nearby bungalow. âWe have written to the Prime Ministerâs Office about this massive illegal alteration from the Lutyens bungalow and have also informed the Rajya Sabha house committee, but we are yet to get a reply. Till then we cannot do anything,â the official added.
deccanchronicle.com
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