The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has ignited a fresh political controversy with its latest housing decision. On Tuesday, the state cabinet cleared a proposal to provide additional accommodation to senior members of the legislature who do not hold ministerial positions.
What the Decision Entails
The cabinet approved the allotment of fifteen houses from the Patna Central Pool. These houses will serve as extra accommodation for senior legislators who are not part of the Council of Ministers. This includes important figures like the chairman and vice-chairman of the Legislative Council, along with the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the assembly.
Under this new arrangement, these senior lawmakers will receive an additional house beyond the one already allotted to them in their capacity as elected representatives. They will need to pay a standard monthly rent for this second property. The government has designated one bungalow each for all 243 MLAs and 75 MLCs for the first time in the state's history.
Opposition Reacts Strongly
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) immediately condemned the move, labeling it a clear misuse of taxpayer money. RJD national spokesperson Nawal Kishore pointed out what he called a glaring contradiction in the government's actions.
"On one hand, the state government served notice to our leader and former chief minister Rabri Devi to vacate her residence at 10, Circular Road," Kishore stated. "On the other hand, it is now offering two houses to senior legislators. This represents extra luxury and wasteful spending of public funds."
The RJD spokesperson urged the government to establish clear criteria for bungalow allotment based on seniority rather than creating what he described as preferential treatment.
Congress Joins the Criticism
Bihar Congress spokesperson Asit Nath Towari echoed similar concerns, suggesting the two-bungalow policy serves as compensation for senior legislators who missed out on ministerial positions.
"This is an irrational use of government bungalows," Towari argued. "These properties could have been allocated to officers and other government functionaries who genuinely need proper accommodation."
He characterized the decision as nothing more than an attempt to placate senior lawmakers disappointed by their exclusion from the ministry.
Government Defends Its Position
Bihar Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary defended the cabinet decision, dismissing opposition allegations as exaggerated interpretations.
"Too much is being read into this decision," Choudhary asserted. "We are implementing this measure considering security protocols. While one bungalow can function as a residence, the other can serve as an office space."
The minister emphasized that this arrangement addresses practical needs of senior legislators while maintaining proper security standards.
Broader Context and Implications
This controversy emerges against the backdrop of the government's earlier notice to opposition leader Rabri Devi to vacate her official residence. The contrasting approaches have provided opposition parties with ammunition to question the government's consistency and priorities.
The debate touches on larger questions about resource allocation, transparency in government decisions, and equitable distribution of public assets. As the political temperature rises in Bihar, this issue promises to remain a focal point of legislative discussions in the coming days.
Both ruling and opposition parties appear to be digging in their positions, setting the stage for continued parliamentary friction over what constitutes appropriate use of state resources for elected representatives.
