Says she was pained at allegations that she was appropriating accommodation meant for war widows
OUR BUREAU New Delhi
President Pratibha Patil on Friday announced that she is ready to forego her proposed post- retirem
ent home in Pune as she was pained at allegations that she was appropriating accommodation meant for war widows.
Former Presidents are entitled to free accommodation after they complete their terms. But the construction of the new home for the President had generated a heated debate. Former army officers had alleged that the bungalow was being built on Defence land, far in excess of what is sanctioned under the rules. It was also claimed that five acres of land was being set aside for her home, even though several officers do not get the accommodation they are entitled to in Pune, because of an alleged shortage of apartments.
Interestingly, the President on Friday did not respond to any of the aforesaid charges. Instead, she asserted that the accommodation allotted to her was never supposed to be earmarked for war widows.
Nonetheless, she was giving it up since some people have ‘linked it with the issue of war widows.alt39’Hope this will put an end to all misgivings in this regard,’said a Press release mounted on the Rashtrapati Bhawan website.
The release further underscores that ‘she would be the last person to ever think of dislocating or coming in the way of creating facilities for our war widows and ex- servicemen.’The lengthy press release said the bungalow was to be allotted to her for use as her post- retirement residence only during her lifetime, ‘with no rights of ownership, transfer lease, etc.’The release adds that she has been reading and watching the unfolding of some fallacious observations regarding the accommodation in Pune. ‘She chose not to react as she has always held herself answerable to the Constitution of our country and her conscience. It was expected that once the facts were made public it would convince the concerned people.
But despite clarifications given by the Presidents Secretariat, it is unfortunate that the misgivings continue to persist.
‘What has pained the President the most is the fact that she is now being portrayed by some people as one who, by agreeing to accept a defence accommodation, is insensitive to the cause of war widows and ex- servicemen.
‘But facts are to the contrary. She has always been proud of our brave jawans. She also has the highest regard for our war widows who have lost their dear ones,alt39alt39the release adds.
It is further pointed out that to express solidarity and boost the morale of the defence forces and gain first hand experience of their hardships, she had visited far flung army establishments in areas like Leh.
The press release goes on to recall her actions in her previous avatar as Rajasthan Governor — how womens issues always concerned her, especially those of war widows.
‘If as Governor she had pursued the matters of war widows with such passion, and if she had objected to even the temporary shifting of the Western Command Headquarters to the War Widows Hostel, would she ever think of coming in the way of creating accommodation for war widows?alt39alt39While the Rashtrapati Bhavan statement referred to Pune accommodation, there was no clarity as to what the President would do about her post- retirement plans.
