In a bid to humour the ex-Chief Ministers further, who are accustomed to enjoying lavish life style at the expense of the State exchequer, the State Cabinet has reframed their perks.
From now onwards, former CMs would get Rs85,000 per month as office expense. They are enabled to engage one Personal secretary (PS) and two Class IV staffs aside from having two vehicles at their disposal. The Secretariat administration would bear the expenses of staff but not more than Rs85,000 per month while vehicle expense would be borne by the Estate department.
Currently, the former Chief Ministers are enjoying unlimited fuel for two cars, unlimited medical expense and are getting guest house rent-free. This aside, they are maintaining a battery of staffs and are withdrawing money from the exchequer. Following the media report, somebody had filed a PIl in High Court, asking for things be clearly defined.
The High Court in its ruling had instructed the State Government to define perks and facilities to be given to ex- Chief Ministers. Currently, the State is bearing expenses for five former Chief Ministers - Bhagat Singh Koshyari, ND Tiwari, Maj Gen Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Vijay Bahuguna. Three of them - Koshyari, Gen Khanduri and Dr Nishanki are now members of the lok Sabha from Nainital, Garhwal and Haridwar constituencies, respectively, while one ex-CM Vijay Bahuguna represents Sitarganj Assembly constituency.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting which started three hours behind schedule was engaged in giving final touches to the matter when the report was being filed.
Sources said that the Cabinet was set to decide 21 issues, including the perks of the former CMs. Besides, matters related to excise, mining, social welfare, personnel and transport are likely to figure in course of the meeting, sources said.
Sources further said the meeting was being delayed intentionally because of the fact that the Cabinet was set to decide things on the Excise Policy which had already courted controversy with the Opposition and the ruling party pillorying each other for favouring particular liquor giants.
Cabinet has taken decision on four issues related to Department of Personnel and one to Social Welfare department. It is learnt that a section of Kuthalia Bora, settled in Kalyanpur of Sitarganj Assembly constituency of Udham Singh Nagar would enjoy the OBC status after the Cabinet seals its approval.
This community is mainly based in Pithoragarh and Almora districts. They till now belong to the general category in Udham Singh Nagar district while they are entitled to avail OBC status in Pithoragarh and Almora districts.