Guwahati: As many as 28 MLAs who haven’t moved out of their official residences in the Assam Legislative Assembly complex have received a reminder from the assembly office to find new housing by July 31 or their electricity and water would be shut off.
As many as 54 Assam-style quarters, built in the 1970s for ministers and MLAs when Assam’s capital was moved from Shillong to Guwahati, are currently being demolished.
The state government intends to build three to four multi-story structures nearby in three years. The new project will have enough room to build a park, a cycling zone, and open space along with the towers.
The 54 MLAs were made aware of the demolition activity in April and urged to make plans for alternate housing in the city. Moreover, these lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of Rs. 50,000.
According to Principal Secretary Hemen Das, a process to develop new structures and upgrade the hostels for 54 MLAs was started in April. 18 MLAs, he claimed, had already left the quarters that had been demolished. Six additional lawmakers have been informed that they must turn up the keys to their rooms by this week, and two more quarters will shortly be demolished, according to Das.
He added that 28 lawmakers still haven’t left their lodgings. The letter of reminder adds that these quarters will be demolished starting on August 1 and that the water and electricity will be turned off in preparation for this on July 31 at midnight.
Meanwhile, some MLAs, particularly those from the Congress, stated that they were unable to leave their residences because they needed additional time to find rental housing.