Union Minister Mahesh Sharma’s official residence, 10, Rajaji Marg, is all set to become the retirement home of President Pranab Mukherjee when he demits office in July this year.
Sharma, the current occupant, has confirmed that he has been asked to vacate the duplex bungalow by the Urban Development ministry.
"The ministry had asked if I have an objection to vacating the house. I have asked them to allot me some other house and I will immediately vacate because this place is more important for President than me," Sharma said.
Sharma is a Lok Sabha MP from Gautam Buddha Nagar. He lives in Sector 15, Noida. He uses his official bungalow during the day for meetings. Besides, some of his personal staff also operate from there.
The minister is likely to vacate the bungalow in April as he is busy with poll campaigns in Uttar Pradesh. It is believed that he has asked for a Type-VIII bungalow in return.
10, Rajaji Marg in Lutyens' Delhi was occupied by former President APJ Abdul Kalam till his death in 2015, after which it was allotted to the minister. There were also demands that the house be converted into a memorial for Kalam.
A retired President is entitled to rent-free accommodation anywhere in India with free water and electricity for the remainder of his/her life as per the President's Pension Rules, 1962.
The 10 Rajaji Marg house is spread over an area of 11,776 sq feet with the ground floor housing a library and an attached reading space.
