Lok Sabha panel cracks whip on ex-MPs overstaying at official bungalows, asks them to vacate residences within a week

New Delhi: Cracking the whip on former Members of Parliament overstaying at their official bungalows in Lutyens’ Delhi, a Lok Sabha panel on Monday ordered them to vacate their residence within a week and disconnect their power, water and cooking gas connections within three days. [caption id=“attachment_7041071” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of the Lok Sabha. PTI[/caption] According to sources, more than 200 former MPs have still not vacated their official bungalows in Lutyens’ Delhi even two months after the dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha. These bungalows or official accommodation were allocated to them in 2014. CR Patil, Chairman of the Lok Sabha Housing Committee, said the panel called a meeting on Monday where it was decided that in three days, power, water and gas connections will be snapped. The development came a day after PTI reported that more than 200 former Lok Sabha MPs have still not vacated their official bungalows here. “Today, in the meeting of the Housing Committee, it was decided that in three days power, water and gas connections will be disconnected and former MPs have been asked to vacate the houses within a week,” Patil told PTI. However, no MPs have stated that they will not vacate their bungalows, he said. According to the rules, former MPs have to vacate their respective bungalows within one month of dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha. President Ram Nath Kovind had on 25 May dissolved the 16th Lok Sabha with immediate effect on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet after the Modi government was formed for a second term. Sources said as these former MPs have not vacated their bungalows located in Lutyens’ Delhi, newly-elected MPs, who won in the Lok Sabha election, have been staying at temporary accommodation. As a result, newly-elected MPs have been forced to stay at transit accommodation, respective state guest houses or western court, the sources said, adding that the panel has been unable to allot houses to them despite repeated requests by the MPs.