Priyanka Gandhi clarifies, says she lives at current residence as per SPG's directions

New Delhi: With questions being raised on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's government house at Lodhi Estate and the rent she pays for it, Congress president Sonia Gandhi's daughter on Saturday issued a clarification, saying that she was directed by the Special Protection Group (SPG) to stay there and added that the rent she pays was same as others in her category. A statement issued by her office said she wanted to move out of the government residence and rent a private accommodation in December 1996, but the SPG denied her the permission and directed her to remain in government accommodation on security grounds. "The then Director of SPG informed her of the decision of security agencies denying her occupation of rented house on security grounds.Consequently, she was directed to occupy government accommodation on security grounds," the statement said. "The said rent that she paid was determined by the government and was same as others in her category," it added. Priyanka, had in 2002, written to the government, saying that the monthly rent of Rs 53,421 for her 2,765.18 sq mts Lodi Estate house was "too high" an amount and "beyond her paying capacity". Currently, former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's daughter pays Rs. 31,300 for accommodation in Type VI government house at 35, Lodhi Estate. Some media reports also claim that she had managed to convince the Vajpayee government to reduce the monthly rent from Rs 53,421 to only Rs 8,888.