New Delhi: The Central Information
Commission on Monday directed the Urban Development Ministry to
disclose complete information about the allotment status of
bungalow number 6, Krishna Menon Marg which was allotted to
Lok Sabha Meira Kumar when she was Union Minister in 2004.
The case relates to an RTI applicant seeking to know the
rent received since 2004, to whom the property is allotted and
if vacant, the period from which it is lying vacant.
The Urban Development Ministry had refused to make public
file notings of the bungalow stating that despite best efforts
"file could not be located" and gave a summary reply that it
was allotted to Meira Kumar as the Minister for Social Justice
in 2004.
It said after becoming Lok Sabha Speaker, she was allotted
bungalow number 20, Akbar Road.
"The bungalow number 6, Krishna Menon has not been
allotted to anyone thereafter," it said.
The bungalow in question was the residence of senior
Congress leader Babu Jagjivan Ram till his death in 1986.
Activist SC Agrawal alleged before the Central
Information Commission that the facts were being hidden by the
Ministry. He even cited the replies of CPWD which show that
bungalow has been held by Kumar even as she has been allotted
20, Akbar Road as new accommodation for Lok Sabha Speaker.
Information Commissioner Deepak Sandhu directed the Union
Urban Development Ministry to make public complete details of
rent received against the bungalow, name of the allottee and
if property is lying vacant, the period thereof.
PTI
