In a first, no 5-star stay for new MPs

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, May 22

Newly elected MPs will no longer get to enjoy posh hotel accommodations while they are in transit residence until allotted official houses.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat has this time decided to do away with the past practice of lodging MPs in local five star accommodations that would cost the state exchequer astounding monies.

“For the first time, we have decided there will be no hotel accommodations for new MPs. They will be lodged in government accommodations till they are allotted their official residences as per the rules of Lok Sabha,” LS Secretary General Snehlata Srivastav said.

The Secretariat will start registering new MPs after the counting of results for the 17th General Election commences. The registration will continue till May 28.

While some MPs may get re-elected in which case they can move to the houses they already occupy, the rest will stay at the Central Government guest house complex at Western Court and also in state government guest houses in the capital.

In the past, several MPs made news for splurging government money by staying in top hotels while in transit accommodations.

The BJP-led NDA government, however, influenced the LS Secretariat to follow an austerity policy in MP accommodations for which the government enhanced the available housing infrastructure at Western Court.

As many as 180 new rooms were added to the Western Court over the past two years. PM Narendra Modi had himself inaugurated the expanded complex.

Also, the new MPs will be welcomed to an all-refurbished Parliament House Complex. From the house chambers to pillars to sound systems, everything has got a fresh coat of paint.

The MPs will also be greeted with aromatic and cactus gardens. The LS Secretariat has appointed 150 persons to help MPs settle down in Delhi in their new roles. “We have named 56 nodal officers, each with 10 segments, to help MPs address local needs,” Srivastav said.