Maharashtra Government has asked all legislators to surrender one of two rooms allotted to each of them in Mumbai in order to resolve the issue of inadequate rooms for lawmakers.
The matter was raised in the Legislative Assembly today by a number of MLAs.
Congress legislator Virendra Jagtap told the Lower House the government had served them a notice asking them to vacate one of two rooms immediately or pay Rs 2000 per day in case of delay.
The MLAs also expressed resentment over the poor condition of rooms. NCP legislator Sandhya Kupekar said the rooms are infested with bed bugs.
In order to resolve the issue of inadequate accommodation facility for legislators, the state government has already decided to dismantle the Majestic Hostel in Colaba which houses rooms for MLAs, and create additional capacity.
As the government needs to adjust the MLAs who were allotted rooms in the facility, they were asked to surrender one of two rooms.
NCP's Bhaskar Jadhav said one room is insufficient for any MLA as sometimes they come to Mumbai with their family members.
Jadhav wondered why MLCs need two rooms as they are not elected representatives. He said MLAs from Mumbai too do not need rooms at the Hostel.
Supporting him, Kupekar said the legislators have been facing other problems too as the rooms are in shambles.
"When we went to see new rooms allotted to us, we found that they were in a very terrible condition. As women, it is impossible for us to stay in such rooms. The rooms were also full of bedbugs," she said.
To this, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said a meeting will be convened soon under Speaker Haribhau Bagade.
Maharashtra Assembly comprises 288 MLAs.
