SHILLONG: In a new twist to the denial by the State Government that the Chief Secretary WMS Pariat was not occupying official bungalow at Bivar Road and hence he is entitled to Rs 16,000 as house rent, a response from GAD revealed that Pariat had on two occasions asked for furnishing if his bungalow and it was carried out.
After the RTI activist Agnes Kharshiing got a response from Accountant General, Shillong that Pariat, flouting norms, was availing Rs 16,000 as house rent per month, though he was allotted the official bungalow with his name plate at Bivar road, Government clarified that Pariat is not in occupation of the official bungalow and that he is staying in his own house at Mawlai Nonglum.
However, in reply to a query through RTI, the GAD Estate Officer informed Kharshiing that on November 9, 2009 , Rs. 6340 was spent for furnishing the House as per the request of Pariat. Yet again on his request, on March 31, 2010, Rs 66.016 was spent for furnishing his bungalow.
The Chief Secretary has used the official bungalow at Bivar Road and it is evident from the response of the GAD regarding the furnishing of the bungalow on two occasions as per his request.
Pariat, who is also the State Vigilance Commissioner, has availed the monthly house rent of Rs 16,000, while at the same time occupying the official bungalow as per the pay slip provided to the RTI activist by the Accountant General.
