Tamil Nadu govt pays Rs 68 cr for former CM Jayalalithaa's Chennai residence

The Tamil Nadu government has reportedly paid Rs 67.9 crore for former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden bungalow in Chennai. While the government paid Rs 23 crore for 24,322 square feet of the property, the rest of the amount went towards Income Tax arrears.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu): The Tamil Nadu state government has reportedly acquired former Chief Minister late Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence in Chennai for Rs 67.9 crore.

According to reports, the state paid Rs 12,060 per square feet for the property under the Land Aquisition Act. This brought the amount to Rs 23 crore for 24,322 square feet of the property.

Additionally, the state reportedly paid Rs 36.9 crore to clear dues towards Income Tax arrears.

Earlier this month, the state government had informed the Madras High Court that it is also actively considering converting "Veda Nilayam", the residence of late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa at upscale Poes Garden, into the official residence of the Chief Minister.

Tamil Nadu government had in May promulgated an ordinance to temporarily take possession of Veda Nilayam and movable assests as well for setting up a foundation and make arrangements to covert it into a memorial.

The High Court in May had declared J. Deepak and J. Deepa (nephew and niece of Jayalalithaa) as the Class II legal heirs of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and suggested to the government that it convert part of the latter's residence as a memorial.

The court also suggested that part of Jayalalithaa's residence 'Veda Nilayam' could be used as the Chief Minister's office.

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