The rented house in Satya Sai Enclave on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar where former chief minister Giridhar Gamang stays . Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 22: “Power” is not helping influential persons to find rented accommodation at their preffered locations in the capital.

The problem is so intense in the heart of the capital that some have been forced to move to the outskirts.

House owners in Bhubaneswar are increasingly avoiding letting their houses on rent to influential persons.

Former chief minister Giridhar Gamang is one of the latest victims of this emerging trend. Unable to find a house in one of the posh areas of the capital city, he now stays in a rented house in Satya Sai Enclave behind Khandagiri Hills.

“For me, getting a house on rent is a tough task. Sometimes, people demand exorbitant rents that far exceed the market price,” he said.

Price is not the prime issue. It is a sense of insecurity that grips house owners when they deal with persons who are perceived to be powerful. “There is an apprehension in the mind of house owners that if they give their houses on rent to such persons, they may not vacate them ever,” said the former chief minister.

Gamang narrated his experience of how he had to vacate houses after they were given to him on rent.

He said that on several occasions, people rented out their houses to him, but after seeing the large number of visitors to the tenant everyday and also the presence of security guards, the house owners insisted that he immediately vacate their houses.

“It is really a tough job to change houses every two years. Besides incurring huge expenses, one has to go through mental trauma and take time to adjust in a new environment. No one knows this better than myself,” he said.

Even though he is a former chief minister, the state government is not willing to provide him an accommodation. This is a rather strange incident considering that the government has given houses to all kinds of people.

Another “powerful” person who had to tell the same harrowing tales is Abani Baral, a firebrand Leftist leader who has been championing the cause of teachers.

“For us, getting a house in the city is very difficult. As soon as the house owners hear the names of influential persons, they refuse to give their houses on rent to them,” he said.

Baral had to struggle hard to get a house even on the city outskirts.

“I got my present rented accommodation after asking a number of friends for help. While shifting, I find it very hard to carry my books,” he said.

Gamang and Baral are not alone, even police officers and advocates find it difficult to get a house on rent in Bhubaneswar.

While the monthly rent of a four-bed room house costs Rs 10, 000 to Rs 12,000 on the city outskirts, the same house in the city will cost about Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. House rents also vary according to the location in the capital.

While house rent at Nayapalli varies between Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000, it is Rs 12,000 at IRC Village, Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000 at Old Town, and Rs 14,000 to Rs 20,0000 at Saheed Nagar.