Odisha Speaker asks ex-MLAs to vacate quarters

Bhubaneswar, Oct 19 (IANS) Giving an ultimatum to former legislators, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro on Saturday directed them to vacate their government quarters within three days.Patro had on September 16 issued notices to ex-MLAs to vacate the quarters and asked the administration to cut water and electricity connection to those houses.Notably, some newly-elected legislators are yet to get quarters as many former legislators are still residing in the official residences allocated to them earlier.The Speaker has also asked some sitting MLAs to vacate their quarters for construction of multi-storied buildings in the MLA Colony."Both the sitting and ex-MLAs were asked to vacate their quarters for construction of multi-storied buildings in the colony. The sitting MLAs will be given alternative accommodations," said Patro.He said some portions of the existing MLA Colony will be demolished and quarters will be constructed for all members for which an estimated Rs 400 crore would be spent.
--IANS cd/rs/kr