The Monday order of the Supreme Court relating to lavish Government accommodation given to former Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh is all set to hit politicians in neighbouring Jharkhand as well. As many as four earlier heads of the Government are enjoying the housing facilities at present.
Where JMM patriarch Shibu Soren was given special treatment for his contributions towards making Jharkhand a separate State through a Cabinet decision having taken place in 2010 by handing over a posh bungalow to him for lifetime, there are host of others who have been enjoying the perks since 2003, barring a brief spell in the middle. The list includes the likes of Babulal Marandi, Madhu Koda and Arjun Munda, besides Soren.
"Not immediately but the Supreme Court order surely has its bearing across the country, including Jharkhand. The apex court has taken the decision keeping in mind the misuse of the powers by the executive and the legislature by framing provisions that suit them. Here in Jharkhand the facility was extended through a notification that would have no standing before the latest Supreme Court verdict," said a top law official requesting anonymity.
First, the Government way back in 2003 had provided the facilities to Babulal Marandi considering Naxal threat to his life. later, similar facilities were also extended to Shibu Soren, Arjun Munda and Madhu Koda on similar grounds.
However, the notification got amended by an order on July 31, 2010 during the President's rule which set a deadline of one month to vacate the accommodation or pay standard rent for the next two months. Thereafter, the person concerned has to leave the Government house. But again on August 13, 2014, the Cabinet Coordination Department paved the way for all the former Chief Ministers of the State to get accommodation, besides security, vehicle, telephone and office along with staffs for free by restoring the facility through a notification.
The law officer further added that the verdict, which in all likelihood would be taken for a review before a larger Bench of the apex court, stood today firmly. "As of now, the fate of the former Chief Ministers has been decided and making it applicable in Jharkhand one just needs to file a PIl before the High Court. There are several justice loving people in the State and I am sure the petition is going to be moved sooner than later," added he.
When contacted, an official in the Cabinet Coordination Department said that the State Government was not aware of any such order. "It has not come to our notice. When it comes, an appropriate step would be taken," he said.