Setting December 5 as the next date of hearing on the public interest litigation regarding residence and various other facilities provided to former Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand High Court in Nainital has asked the State Government how much rent is
being collected from the ex-Chief Ministers.
The PIl filed by Avdhash Kaushal of the Rural litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RlEK) in 2010 contends that the homes and various other facilities provided by the government to former chief ministers amounts to misuse and wastage of public money.
The petitioner contends that facilities including official residences allotted to ex-CMs who own “palatial” bungalows, staff and vehicles is illegal which the small mountain State of Uttarakhand can ill-afford.
Earlier, in April this year Kaushal had also written to the State governor eliciting focus on the issue. He had stated that all of the ex-CMs have a residence of their own and can afford to live in it.
Kaushal had further provided detailed information about the various residences purported to be owned by the former Chief Ministers.