Bhubneswar : Though 100 days have passed since the dissolution of the 16th State Legislative Assembly, many former legislators including some ex-ministers are yet to vacate the government quarters allotted to them. There are two dozen former BJD MLAs among the 27 such former MLAs.
Take the case of former BJD MLA Bikram Keshari Arukha who is yet to vacate the government accommodation allotted to him despite losing the election. Though the quarter has been allotted to Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, she is yet to take possession of it.
Among other former legislators who are yet to vacate their government quarters despite losing elections are Pradeep Kumar Amat, Amar Prasad Satpathy, Devi Prasad Mishra, Rajnikant Singh, Premananda Nayak, Pritiranjan Gharai, Rita Sahu and Suresh Routray.
As per the provision, former legislators should vacate the government quarters 15 days after the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly. However, because of the prevailing situation, around 60 current legislators are forced to reside in the State guest house.
Under the circumstances, the General Administration (GA) Department has issued notices to the former legislators who have not vacated the government quarters. Even the rent officer and the enforcement squad visited the places and asked the occupants to vacate the quarter soon.
“The former legislators should vacate the government quarters within a month. If they don’t vacate the quarters within the period, we lodge OPP cases against them. After getting the order, we take steps for eviction,” said Prakash Behera, rent officer of the GA Department.
“I had written to reside in the quarters by paying the standard license fee which is currently sub-judice,” said Amar Prasad Satpathy.
“Some former MLAs of the Opposition party are not vacating the government quarters intentionally. We will carry out the eviction drive as per the provision in law,” said government Chief Whip Saroj Pradhan.
The prevailing situation has forced as many as 60 current legislators including some Ministers to stay in state guest house despite the allotment of government quarters to them. However, there is not enough space in the guest house to cater to their requirement.
Take the case of Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra. The Minister has been allotted room no.505 in the guest house in which all of his family members are residing. In addition to food bill, the room has a rent bill amounting to Rs 600 per day. Many party workers and government employees are also visiting the quarters frequently for different purposes. Hence, Mohapatra is finding it difficult to adjust in the guest house.
It is becoming difficult to adjust in the guest house. The government quarters should be vacated by the former legislators soon,” said Mohapatra.
Other Ministers and current legislators are also facing similar problems.
“We have 2 PSOs, a driver and a personal secretary. Where will they reside? Many people are coming to us for different work. My house is 500km away from Bhubaneswar,” rued Kantabanjhi MLA Laxman Bag.
