Ministers misusing official bungalows, undermining security of VIP

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) After cash for query and MPLAD scams, ministers in high security Luyten's zone are now reported to be renting out rooms in their official bungalows thereby undermining the safety of VVIPs staying in the high security zone.

According to a CNN IBN expose, rooms in the servants quarters were being given on rent in the houses of Minister for Small Scale Industry, Agro and rural industries Mahabir Prasad, Minister of State for Transport K H Muniappa and MoS for railway Narainbhai Rathwa.

The report said no police verification was done for any of these tenants which was mandatory in Delhi. It is significant in view of the fact that the high security zone houses Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House and houses of Prime Minister and other ministers.

The report said rooms were being given on rent for Rs 1500 to Rs 2500 and anybody claiming to be a student or someone who has come here for treatment of his/her relatives could walk into the houses of these ministers and negotiate the rent with the occupants of the house. There was no check on the entry of visitors coming for such purposes.

The ministers have, however, denied the charge.

Mr Mahabir Prasad, whose bungalow has 20 servant quarters in place of the maximum six, said that all those occupying these quarters were the people working as a gardener, housemaids and other workers of the bungalow.

The New Delhi district police said that it was unable to do much as VIP residents of the area are reluctant to give information about their visitors or who all were residing in their bungalow premises.

Earlier, MPs have been found to be involved in the cash for query scam and also misusing MPLAD scheme money for personal gains. They faced Parliamentary action and were expelled and some were suspended.

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