State Accountability Commission (SAC) has take cognizance of the report of CAG in which it is said that at least there are 55 MLAs/MLCs and perhaps some ministers also who are occupying double allotment of accommodation. They have been allotted Government bungalow and at the same time they are retaining the rooms in MLA hostel allotted to them. This is true of both the capital cities, Jammu and Srinagar. CAG has pointed out that as per the report of the Estate Directorate which said that avoidable extra expenditure of nearly Rs 33 crore had to be incurred owing to non-adherence to norms and large number of legislators had been allotted Government accommodation despite occupying flats in the MLAs’ Hostel. Estates Department has reported that non-adherence to prescribed allotment norms or policy for accommodation in private hired hotels has resulted in avoidable extra-expenditure to the tune of Rs 19.02 crore during the period 2010-11 to 2014-15. Also, non-eviction of unauthorized occupants resulted in avoidable expenditure of Rs 13.95 crore for hiring of private hotels and houses, the CAG had stated. Interestingly, the Government did not take any action on the report of the CAG and allowed the legislators/ministers continue with violation and non-adherence to accommodation rules. This naturally has made the Estates Department handicapped as to what action it should take when the law makers flout the rules which they themselves make.
We think that the State Accountability Commission has taken the right step by taking up suo moto action in the matter. Convinced of gross violation and non-adherence to the norms and rules by the legislators, the SAC has asked the Chief Secretary to come up with a status report on the subject before 26 July 2017 failing which the SAC will take proper steps in the matter.
This is not only an administrative and legal issue it is essentially a moral issue. The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi had laid down the practice based on moral values of Indian nation that the leaders who have been empowered by the people should live a very simple, honest and pure life and avoids making show of power and influence. The legislators are the role model for the society. Their life style should inspire the entire nation. The people have reposed trust in them and they have to identify themselves with the people who support them. As such, the MLAs/MLCs should voluntarily vacate one of the two accommodations allotted to them by the ED and thus create a precedence that will not only stand in good stead to them but will also save huge amount of public exchequer.
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