Question : BASIC AMENITIES IN GOVERNMENT COLONIES

(a) whether the Union Government has provided basic civil/electrical amenities like wash basin, sink, fan, tubelights etc. to the allottees of Type I, II and III accommodations at free of cost in some specific colonies particularly Multistorey Quarters at Tyagraj Nagar, Vasant Vihar etc. whereas in some colonies, such facilities are provided after depositing 10 per cent of the cost by allottees of Government accommodation;

(b) if so, the reasons for such disparity;

(c) whether it is not a violation of clause 15(2)

(b) of the Constitution which provide right of equality to the citizens; and

(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to provide such facilities in all types of accommodations?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( SHRI BANDARU DATTATRAYA )

(a)&(b): Amenities like sink, wash basins, fans, tube lights, etc., are provided as standard fixtures in all new constructions of Central Government residential accommodation. In older constructions, where these fixtures were not provided initially in accordance with the specifications then applicable, fixtures like sink, wash basins, wire gauge shutters, magic eye, additional ceiling fans, etc., are provided if the allottee pays the prescribed percentage of the cost as contribution. In the type-I quarters in Tyagraj Nagar, these were provided against a specific sanction issued by the Government. No such amenities have been provided in type-I quarters in Vasant Vihar while in type-II quarters, sink and in type-III quarters, sink and wash basin, were provided as part of the original construction.

(c): The fundamental right under clause 15(2)(b) of the Constitution prohibits the State from discrimination on ground of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them in relation to access of a citizen to the types of places mentioned in that clause. This list of places does not include residential accommodation of various types provided by the Government to its employees.

(d): No proposal to provide the facilities free of cost in the old constructions of residential accommodation is under consideration of the Government.