Why not house mantris in flats instead of bungalows, asks Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI: To end the VIP culture in Delhi, Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday pitched for building spacious multi storey flats which can accommodate ministers and other lawmakers rather than finding bungalows for them.

"There is a thought in the government to put all central government offices at one place. Similarly, why can't we have flats of 6,000 or 8,000 sq ft size for ministers. Maintenance of bungalows is a big issue," Gadkari told TOI after the government announced to end the use of beacons by VIPs and dignitaries.

Gadkari said political leaders need to realize it quickly that they are people's "servants" in a democracy. "When people see us standing in a queue for security check at airports, they feel good. Unfortunately, we behave like malik," he added.

Ministers act fast to remove `lal battis'
PM's leveller found immediate takers on Wednesday as several Union ministers and other dignitaries removed red beacons from their vehicles within hours after the government announced an end to `lal batti' VIP culture.

Commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman, health minister J P Nadda, textile minister Smriti Irani, sports minister Vijay Goel, food minister Ram Vilas Paswan, social justice minister Thaawarchand Gehlot and small scale industry minister Giriraj Singh also removed red beacons. Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed the decision and tweeted that he never used red beacon as a minister.