BY TC News Desk
Agartala, May 05, 2023: Participating in the “Griha Pravesh” ritual at the newly constructed residence for all 60 elected MLA in the premises of New Capital Complex here, Chief Minister Prof Dr Manik Saha on Friday urged the MLAs of treasury and opposition benches for developing a brotherhood relation by staying together above politics.
Addressing the auspicious ceremony, Dr Saha said “In 2016, the construction of the new MLAs’ residence started during the Left Front government’s regime. The site chosen to build the MLA residence was full of forest. The call of the jackal could be heard only when it was dark. A four-storied legislative residence was built at a cost of Rs 51 crore.”
The Chief Minister directed to frame new rules for the newly constructed MLA residence. He suggested to keep the MLA residence clean. MLAs have been created with the aim that everyone can live under one umbrella even if they have different political identities.
There are forty five rooms in the residence Forty-five rooms have been created, excluding twelve ministers, Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker or Leader of Opposition. There are separate quarters for them at the MLA residence.
“If we stay together above politics, friendship will develop among us a sense of brotherhood will be created. Friendship can be developed only by being together”, the Chief Minister said.
Speaking at the event, State Assembly Speaker Biswabandhu Sen advised MLAs to think of ways to meet the cost of renovating their residences. He insists on getting together with legislators once a year. Even if they are MLAs of different ideologies or different political parties, it strengthens the emotional bond. There is no animosity. He expressed the opinion that if they are under one umbrella, their mind will grow.
The Leader of Opposition TIPRA Motha MLA Animesh Debbarma suggested to change the name of MLA hostel to MLAs’ residences or MLAs’ colony. The MLA insisted on regular renovations to make the residence livable after the next 10 years. The modern MLA residence was originally planned to be one bhk with rooms. Later the decision was changed to 2-PHK. Modular kitchen, air conditioning in every room. There are three conference halls, gym, library in the residence Also, MLA residence number one and two will naturally be closed due to accommodation of 45 MLAs under one roof. It is reported that the MLA No. 2 residence will be kept for the employees of the Assembly.
Opposition TIPRA Motha, Congress MLA said to stay in this residence but CPIM is yet to take any decision. A proposal was brought in the Legislative Assembly to build this residence so that 60 MLAs could live under one roof during the Left term. The then opposition Congress supported the proposal. Now BJP government, the MLA residence II has been occupied by CPM MLAs for ages. At that time, there was a campaign that number II MLA residence means CPIM and number I residence belongs to opposition party Congress. Now the CPM MLAs do not want to leave the number II MLA residence.
In this context, Debbarma appealed to the concerned authorities to consider the matter. He said, if their application is not responded to, the party will reconsider the matter.
However, according to sources, the MLAs who are living in the old MLA residence will be given a fixed time limit. They will have to move to the new MLA residence during this period. The legislative hostel located at Buddha Mandir will be the accommodation for the staff of the Legislative Assembly. As a result, all the MLAs who are in that place will have to move to new accommodation. And if he or she does not do that, then no other way will be open except to go to his or her own residence.
The source also said that a large-scale VIP guest house will be constructed where the newly constructed MLA hostel is currently located. So that those who come with the legislators from the state and outside the state will be accommodated there.
Council Minister Ratan Lal Nath proposed to levy rent charges on the MLAs as the accommodation has all the facilities. It will incur incidental expenses including renovation. This legislative residence is built on eight acres of land. He said that there is no other such residence in the whole country.
Earlier, during the “Griha Pravesh” ceremony, state cabinet members and MLAs were present, but no Congress or CPM MLAs were present.
