Eviction notice on Ambika Soni, Kumari Selja to vacate bungalows by June 10

NEW DELHI: The government has asked Congress MPs Ambika Soni and Kumari Selja to vacate their official bungalows in the Lutyens zone here by June 10 after the rejection of privilege notices sent by the two former Union ministers against the eviction orders served on them.

Fresh eviction orders have been issued asking Soni and Selja to vacate their present government accommodation at 22, Akbar Road and 7, Motilal Nehru Marg, respectively, said a senior Urban Development Ministry official.

The eviction notices were issued by the quasi-judicial authority in the ministry on May 25 and 15 days' time has been given to comply with the same.

Earlier, notices were issued to the duo by the Directorate of Estates asking them to vacate the bungalows, which are meant for Cabinet Ministers.

However, both of them on May 14 submitted privilege notices to the Chairman of Rajya Sabha against it.

The UD ministry had referred these cases to the quasi- judicial authority tasked with evictions. The Rajya Sabha secretariat subsequently sought a report from the UD ministry and the requisite details were furnished.

The ministry replied that there is an acute shortage of accommodation in the general pool and MPs are not entitled to Type-VIII houses and quasi-judicial proceedings for eviction are already in progress.

As per the procedure, both the former ministers presented their side before the quasi-judicial authority earlier this week while the ministry also conveyed its position on the matter.

After considering the views, the quasi-judicial authority passed eviction orders in both the cases and both were given time till June 10 to vacate their present accommodation.

Soni and Selja continue to occupy the Type-VIII bungalows even after demitting office as ministers. Although the Rajya Sabha House committee gave them alternative accommodation, neither MP accepted it.