Govt asks Indian Women Press Corps, FCC to vacate Delhi bungalows

The Union government has asked the Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC) and the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC) to vacate the bungalows allotted for their offices in New Delhi.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Directorate of Estates (DoE) has sent notices to them on May 4 as the extension period given to them ends on July 31.

Also read: India among world’s ‘most dangerous nations for media’: Press Freedom Index

The DoE has directed them to “find a suitable accommodation” indicating that no further extension would be given.

“I am directed to convey the in principle approval of the competent authority for retention of government accommodation bungalow No. 05, Windsor Place, New Delhi allotted to IWPC for a period of up to July 31, 2022 on the prevailing terms & conditions,” according to the letter sent to IWPC.

“You are, therefore, requested to find a suitable accommodation and arrange to vacate the aforesaid house on or before 31st July, 2022,” it added.

The FCC too has got a similar notice to vacate Bungalow No. AB-19 on Mathura Road, New Delhi.

Reacting to the notice, Shobhna Jain, President, IWPC, was quoted as saying in Indian Express, “It’s a routine procedural thing. We have been given an extension. The letter says that the government has approved in principle the lease renewal for three months. We are in touch with the authorities. We will request them to make it (the lease renewal) for a longer period. For the past 25 years we have been getting these lease renewals.”

As per the report, Munish Gupta, President, FCC, said, “We have not received any such letter or information as on date.”

In August 2021, the government issued an eviction notice to IWPC and asked it to pay its outstanding dues.

According to the notice, the allotment had been made to IWPC on May 13, 1994, and it had been cancelled with effect from January 6, 2021, following the expiry of tenure.

(With inputs from Agencies)