RTI Effect : Number of VVIP Squatters reduces to 17 from 36

It is indeed shameful that still 17 former Union Ministers (list attached) have not vacated palatial government-bungalows as on 10.08.2009 according to Directorate of Estates. However it was media-exposure of earlier response to RTI petition from the Directorate about a month ago that 18 such VVIP squatters had to vacate their bungalows while George Fernandez could retain by managing new membership of Rajya Sabha.

Our VVIP squatters should be made to follow British tradition where new Prime minister directly enters official residence at 10 Downing Street (London) because system there does not allow retaining government-accommodation even for an extra day after losing entitlement. Apart from amending Section 441 of Indian Penal Code as suggested by the Apex Court, Government should stop pensions of retired Parliamentarians for overstaying apart from disqualifying them from contesting elections or having some official post like of Governor or Chairperson of a Commission. Heavy penalty much-more than the market-rent, should be charged for every additional day of over-occupation. After all, exchequer has to bear heavy boarding-expenses at costly hotels for new Parliamentarians awaiting allotment of government-accommodations. Our politicians should take Shabana Azmi as their role-model who went to attend her last day in Rajya Sabha after vacating her government-bungalow allotted to her as a Rajya Sabha member.

SUBHASH CHANDRA AGRAWAL
(Guinness Record Holder & RTI Activist)
1775 Kucha Lattushah
Dariba, Chandni Chowk
DELHI 110006 (India)
Mobile 9810033711 Fax 23254036
E-mail subhashmadhu@sify.com
Web www.subhashmadhu.com