Zohra Sehgal too old, too rich to get govt flat in Delhi

In 2008, she was named the Laadli of the Century and yet today Zohra Sehgal, the 101-year-old actress, has been refused help by the government when she needs it the most. Sehgal, who is one of the oldest and most respected actors in the Indian film industry has been denied a ground floor apartment she had sought from the Union Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Urban Development, under the artiste quota. [caption id=“attachment_1382457” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Courtesy: ibn live[/caption] Reportedly, the actress, who lives with her daughter Kiran had applied to the Union Ministry of Culture in 2011 for allotment of a ground-floor government accommodation anywhere in Central Delhi. The actress’ daughter told The Indian Express that since their flat is on the second floor, it is very difficult for Zohra to commute. She cannot climb down the stairs and cries from pain everytime she has to be taken to the doctor. Hence,  they had sought government’s help in acquiring a flat on the ground floor so that Sehgal can visit doctors as well as step out without difficulty. However there plea has been denied. The government  in its defence insists that according to the norms the admissible age limit to allot anyone a house under the artiste quota is between 40-60 years and Sehgal is way past that age. Moreover, the allotment can be done only to someone who earns less than Rs 20,000 per month and does not own any property in the National Capital Region. Sehgal however doesn’t fall under this category. While the government says their hands are tied, Sehgal is also not willing to push through with her request either. The actress told The Indian Express, ““I am already 101. If I get the house, it’s fine, if I don’t, then also it’s good with me. I have never begged anyone for anything.” Read the full report here.