Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Lalu Prasad Yadav and former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi have vacated the government residence at 10 Circular Road in Patna after nearly two decades and shifted to their private residence in Kautilya Nagar.
Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has meanwhile moved into the government bungalow at 1 Polo Road, where he will reside with his family.
End of a Long Political Chapter
The bungalow at 10 Circular Road has been closely associated with the political journey of the Lalu family for nearly 20 years.
Rabri Devi was allotted the residence in 2006 after becoming the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council. Over the years, the bungalow became the venue for several key political meetings and decisions involving the RJD.
It was also from this residence that Tejashwi Yadav began a significant phase of his political career, taking oath as Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister for the first time in 2015.
Government Issued Multiple Notices
The Building Construction Department had repeatedly directed Rabri Devi to vacate the bungalow after the allotment period expired.
According to the department, four notices were issued, including a final notice on June 22 directing her to hand over possession within seven days. The department had stated that action would be taken under the applicable rules if the residence was not vacated by June 29.
Two days before the deadline, Rabri Devi’s personal secretary wrote to the department requesting an extension until July 5 to complete the shifting process.
Charge Register Sought Before Handover
Before vacating the residence, Rabri Devi’s office requested that the Building Construction Department provide the original charge register issued when the bungalow was allotted in 2006.
The register contains the inventory of furniture, fixtures and other government-provided items available in the residence.
According to the letter, access to the register was sought to ensure that the inventory could be reconciled accurately during the handover process and to avoid any future disputes or confusion regarding government property.
Residence Already Allotted to New Occupant
The Bihar government has already allotted the 10 Circular Road bungalow to state minister Nand Kishore Ram.
However, the minister has not yet been able to take possession because the residence remained occupied until the Lalu family’s relocation.
Work Continues at 39 Harding Road
The government has allotted another official residence at 39 Harding Road to Rabri Devi.
However, officials indicate that the bungalow is not yet ready for occupation. Around 70 per cent of the work has been completed, while painting, cleaning, installation of furniture, air conditioners and interior finishing are still pending.
Officials said more than 50 workers are engaged in completing the remaining work, and the residence is expected to be ready within about a week.
