Move already! While SC asks UP ex-CMs to vacate bungalows, Akhilesh's new house gets a makeover

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The new crib

• A bungalow that might become Akhilesh Yadav\'s new residence in undergoing massive renovation
• Materials are being flown in from abroad for it
• The 3-acre plot is being equipped with the best facilities

The problem

• According to SC\'s latest order all former CMs of Uttar Pradesh have 2 months to return their government bungalows
• Under these circumstances Akhilesh Yadav might not even get his new bungalow

More in the story

• The other ex chief ministers who have to vacate bungalows
• More details about Akhilesh Yadav\'s new house

On Monday, the Supreme Court ordered the former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh to return their government bungalows within two months.

At a time, when this verdict was the talk of the town in Lucknow, some labourers were busy giving finishing touches to a sprawling house in the city's posh Vikramaditya Road.

Also Read:SC tells former UP CMs to vacate government accommodation within 2 months

This bungalow could very soon be the new address of the UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

This would be in line with the tradition that every former CM gets a free bungalow in Lucknow for his or her entire lifetime.

The work is on in full swing on this building and the aim is to complete all construction and renovation before December. The chief minister plans to shift to this new bungalow after the next elections.

The location

This bungalow is situated in Hazratganj area, considered to be the heart of Lucknow. Adjacent to this house, lies the bungalow allotted to Mulayam Singh. Akhilesh Yadav's brother Prateek Yadav lives there with his family.

The bungalow being prepared for Akhilesh Yadav formerly belonged to UP's agriculture production commissioner.

There were servant quarters of the public welfare department at the back of the bungalow. The magnificence of the building can be imagined from the fact that one of its gates opens on the Vikramaditya Marg while the other on Kalidas Marg.

Imported construction material

Special care is being taken for the beautification of this 3-acre complex. Currently, its gates are closed for all outsiders. A Mumbai-based construction company has been entrusted with the task of its restoration. The company is remodeling its architecture influenced by bungalows owned by the sheikhs of Dubai.Special glass has been imported from Belgium and the stone was ordered from Italy. The CM's bedroom and personal bathroom would exceed five-star hotel suites in grandeur.

The officials of the Public Welfare Department, Development Authority and State Properties Department are working overtime to ensure that no detail of the construction work in missed.

Some of them have even gone on foreign junkets to study the architecture of buildings in other countries so that the CM's new abode matches the best buildings in the world.

Rs 50 crore on layout

There are rumours that different state departments have so far spent over Rs 15 crore on the new layout of the bungalow. This, when the government did not spend a penny on the land.

According to PWD officials, an additional amount of Rs 28 crore is likely to be spent on its renovation. This includes construction of a new CM's office and separate quarters for his staff.

All three halls on the ground floor will have adequate arrangements for organising meetings on a large scale. The entire floor will be dedicated to offices and guests. The CM and his family will live on the first floor.

The new bungalow will have four different blocks, including a guest house for Akhilesh Yadav's personal visitors. Separate arrangements are being made for the deployment of CM's security staff.

SC's decision, a big jolt

In spite of such elaborate arrangements, it remains to be seen how Akhilesh Yadav will manage to get this bungalow allotted to his name in the wake of SC's recent order.

The apex court verdict requires six former chief ministers to vacate their bungalows within the next two months.

According to Samajwadi Party General Secretary Ram Gopal Yadav, the state government will file a review petition against the order.

12 years ago, a Lucknow-based NGO had filed a petition before the Supreme Court in this regard. It was signed by retired IAS, IPS officers, judges and technocrats among others.

The hearing was postponed for around 20 times over all these years. On 27 November, 2014, a bench comprising Justice R Dave, Justice NV Raman and Justice R Bhanumati had reserved its decision in the case.

Former Chief Ministers Mayawati, Mulayam Singh, Rajnath Singh, Kalyan Singh, Ram Naresh Yadav, Vir Bahadur Singh, and ND Tiwari also need to vacate their bungalows following the apex court's order.

The ex-CM's who need to move out and their addresses -

Mayawati, BSP

• Her bungalow is at 13,A, Mall Avenue in Lucknow.
• She has been the chief minister in 1995,1997, 2002 and 2007.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, SP

• The address of his bungalow is 5, Vikramaditya Marg.
• He was the chief minister in 1989, 1993 and 2003.

Rajnath Singh, BJP

• The government bungalow at 4, Kalidas Marg has been allotted to him. It lies adjacent to Akhilesh Yadav's current house at 5, Kalidas Marg.
• Singh was the state chief minister in 2000.

Kalyan Singh, BJP

• He is currently the Governor of Rajasthan. The bungalow No- 2 at Mall Avenue belongs to him.
• He was the chief minister in 1991 and 1997.

Ram Naresh Yadav, Janata Party

• Presently, he is the Governor of Madhya Pradesh. He occupies the bungalow situated at 1, Mall Avenue.
• Yadav held the post of chief minister in 1977.

ND Tiwari

• The veteran leader has a bungalow to his name in the Mall Avenue.
• He was the chief minister in 1976, 1984 and 1988.

Edited by Jhinuk Sen

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