Chicken Coop!

Shekhawat discusses his dilemma over the MHADA allotment

The song and dance over ‘winning’ a flat in a MHADA lottery (ref post of October 25) has fizzled out with Shekhawat today announcing that he has no use for a 340 sq ft one BHK accommodation on the 17th floor of a Virar highrise.
“What shall I do with that chicken coop?” he said. “I saw the place yesterday with my wife. Let alone stay there, it is not even worth investing in. That apart, I am entitled to a bigger apartment. What they are offering is meant for the LIG (lower income group) – obviously because there are no takers for it.”
The allotment has come through after seven failed attempts in MHADA’s annual lottery scheme – that too, after Shekhawat had lost out in the initial draw of lots. “My application was kept on hold in the waiting list,” he revealed. “I got through under the ex-Servicemen’s quota this time.”
Another reason Shekhawat is not interested is that he is already heavily invested in several premium properties across Mumbai and beyond. The Virar flat, costing Rs22 lakh, is chicken feed to him and by his own admission, managing it is not worth his while.
At the same time, he concedes that this could well be godsent, considering that he had gone on an extensive pilgrimage of Bihar and Rajasthan recently. Moreover, news of the allotment had come on the eve of Diwali when Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth is invoked. As a deeply religious person, he cannot afford to reject her blessings, however ‘small’ that may be.
He said he would take a final call after consulting his family members.
Lt Col Angad Singh (from Mohali):
Shekhawat-ji, take the flat and enjoy the sober climate of Virar.