Kalam, Shekhawat still homeless

NEW DELHI: More than a month after demitting office, former President A P J Abdul Kalam and ex-Vice-President Bharion Singh Shekhawat continue to wait for new homes that are yet to be readied by the authorities.

While in the Capital, the 75-year-old Kalam continues to stay in a “High Risk Category Officers Hut”, the simple accommodation offered to him in Delhi Cantonment by Army Chief Gen J J Singh when he demitted office on July 25.

The former supreme commander of the armed forces accepted the offer made by Singh and the guesthouse was specially readied by the Army for him.

Kalam, who has Z-Plus security cover, has been staying in the guesthouse despite his office making several representations to the Urban Development Ministry for early renovation of the house in central Delhi allotted to him.

However, the work undertaken by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has been moving very slowly despite reminders from security agencies that want to install gadgets to protect the former President, who faces threats from several militant groups, including Lashker-e-Taiba.

Sand and construction material were seen spread all over the house at 10 Rajaji Marg. CPWD officials at the spot were unwilling to say when the house would be ready for Kalam to move in.

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