Rules for forr CM Bungalow: The ongoing government housing dispute over former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi has now reached the court. On Thursday, the Delhi High Court expressed displeasure over the central government’s stand in this matter and said that the process of allocation of government houses should be uniform and transparent. Let us know in the meantime, what are the rules to allot the bungalow to the former CM?

What does the law say?

There is no provision to give government bungalow to former Chief Ministers in India. In 2016, the Supreme Court in an important decision had clearly stated that there is no constitutional or legal basis for permanent government housing to former Chief Ministers. The court argued that it is a burden on public money and is against the principles of democratic system.

However, different states have made rules at their level. In some states, after leaving the post of Chief Minister, there is an extension to vacate the government bungalow by a certain period (usually 3 to 6 months). After this, it is mandatory to take back that house according to the need of the new Chief Minister or the government.

In terms of Delhi

Delhi is a union territory and the situation here is slightly different. Here the right to allotment is under the Ministry of Urban Development. While the Chief Minister, he can find type VIII bungalow, but after leaving the post, this right is automatically eliminated. Despite this, due to political circumstances and security reasons, the old Chief Minister is allowed to keep the bungalow for some time.

Questions have arisen before

Controversy over allotting bungalows to former Chief Ministers is not new. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, this issue has gone to the Supreme Court. Even then, the Supreme Court had bluntly said that after the withdrawal from power, the facility like bungalow creates inequality in democracy.

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