Allotment of official bungalow to Chief Secy violates existing rules
SHILLONG: The house rent of Rs 16,000 per month drawn by Chief Secretary WMS Pariat despite allotment of an official bungalow in the city in his name has finally been proved to be ‘illegal’.
As per relevant rules of the GAD department, the Chief Secretary does not qualify for allotment of a Government bungalow in his name.
Section 7 (1) of the Allotment of Government Residences (General Pool) Rules, 1990 clearly specifies that officers owning a house or whose spouse or husband, as the case may be, owns a house at the place of posting shall not be entitled to allotment of Government residence.
Section 7 (1) further states: “If such an officer is in occupation of a Government residence, he shall surrender the same to the Government failing which he shall be liable to pay damages for use and occupation of residence and service provided equal to the prevailing market rent etc., as may be determined by Government from time to time or shall be liable to any action that may be taken against him by the Government.”
Earlier, the GAD had made a contradicting statement that as per GAD norms, any official can claim house rent if he stays in rented accommodations or his own house and not in the official bungalow provided by the Government.
Controversy over the official bungalow of the Chief Secretary arose after it was found from the pay slip provided by the Accountant General, that Pariat was availing Rs 16,000 p.m. as house rent even though he has been allotted an official bungalow at Bivar Road in the city.