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Reports suggest that 34, APJ Abdul Kalam Marg is to be Jagdeep Dhankhar’s new home but the eviction process has not yet started and the bungalow is occupied by a Union minister
Officials said the entitlement remains intact, and the designated bungalow will be handed over to former VP Jagdeep Dhankhar once it is ready. (Image: PTI/File)
Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar may temporarily move into a makeshift accommodation as the formal handover of his government-allotted bungalow is yet to be completed, News18 has learnt.
This may seem unusual compared to the convention followed by former presidents, prime ministers, and vice presidents.
While reports suggest that 34, APJ Abdul Kalam Marg has been designated Dhankhar, the eviction process has not yet started. The bungalow remains occupied by a Union minister, who is its previous resident.
According to government sources, the delay is purely technical, dismissing other interpretations. It is an administrative matter, without any political implications, the sources said.
Even if the process begins soon, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will need at least two to four months to complete renovations and security modifications before the bungalow is ready.
This delay leaves the former vice president with two options – wait for a temporary government residence or move into a private home. If he opts for private accommodation, it may be unprecedented for someone who has held such a high constitutional position.
There is, however, a precedent for delays. Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu also had to wait for a few days before moving into his official accommodation, though a temporary government residence was arranged for him. The administrative lag in his case was due to his sudden resignation.
Securing a Type VIII bungalow can be cumbersome, as it involves vacating the current occupant, refurbishing the property, and installing necessary security measures. In Delhi’s tightly managed pool of high-security, heritage bungalows, such timelines often extend beyond three months.
Officials said the entitlement remains intact, and the designated bungalow will be handed over once it is ready. The image of a former VP, the second-highest constitutional authority in India, potentially moving into a private residence highlights the weight of procedural delays and the rarity of this situation. In the power centre of the country, where signs and symbols are closely watched, this development is bound to draw attention.
Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa…Read More
Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa… Read More
Read More
