Nearly a month ago, on December 8, Gujarat got its newly elected 15th Legislative Assembly. However, most of the elected representatives are still without government accommodation with assurances being doled out that “renovation work” will be complete after Makar Sankranti. However, no clear date has been given, as apprised by a group of the peeved lot.
Insiders also shared that in most cases, “previous occupants” have not vacated the premises. “Some of us await a change in the allotted bungalow/ home. But for most, previous occupants have held on to government property on the pretext of renovation work,” added a newly-elected MLA.
Member’s Residence Sector 21: Gandhinagar’s Sector 21 has a complex of 14 Blocks, each with 12 flats. Some of the newly elected MLAs have been housed here till the “actual” home is handed over. The two-BHK interim arrangement is tagged at a monthly rental of Rs 37.50, borne by the state exchequer. The electricity and gas bills have to be shelled out by the MLA.
New Complex for MLAs: A new complex is coming up at Sector-17 in Gandhinagar. These residences will be fully air-conditioned and will have three bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. These houses will be ready at an estimated cost of more than Rs 200 crores. The plan, okayed by the deputy CM, has set a two-year target for handing over the flats.
Ministerial Residence: Residence for ministers is always a bungalow. However, even after the formation of the new Cabinet, bungalows have not been allotted to the new ministers. While some of the MLAs prefer to live in their MLA colony flats, others await a shift to the bungalows, still occupied by the previous office holder.
Meanwhile, the meagre Opposition in Congress is yet to declare its leader in the Assembly. As such, the office remains closed on the second floor of the state secretariat.
