Manmohan Singh's post-retirement house 'identified

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has already made known his intention to hand over the mantle after the Lok Sabha polls, may move from 7, Race Course Road to 3, Motilal Nehru Marg, the current residence of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

The bungalow on Motilal Nehru Marg is one of those considered for Singh's accommodation after he demits the PM's office.

Sources in the urban development ministry said Dikshit had written to the estate department that she would vacate the house by February 20. Earlier she had told TOI that she would leave her official accommodation by January-end. As per rules, CMs and cabinet ministers need to vacate their house a month after the end of their tenure.

Dikshit was allotted the bungalow in 2004 when she took over as CM for the second time. "Anyone who overstays in official accommodation has to pay damages (charges) to the government," said an official.

According to sources, recently a team visited the bungalow to get exact details and to find out whether this could be one of the best options to accommodate Manmohan Singh.

Another bungalow being considered is 5, Janpath where former Prime Minister I K Gujral lived. It has been lying vacant since November 2012.

Officials said there would be enough time left to renovate the bungalow on Moti Lal Nehru Marg after Diskshit leaves next week. The tenure of the present Lok Sabha ends in May.

All former Prime Ministers are entitled to type-VIII bungalow, the highest category.