The flats in which MLAs live at present. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Jan. 21: Finally, there’s some comforting news for members of Bihar Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. The state government is planning to provide duplex accommodations to members of both the Houses.

There are 243 members in Legislative Assembly and 75 in the Council.

According to the plan, a complex would be built in which apart from the duplex units, which would be allotted to people’s representatives, a park, one transit hostel, one club, one gymnasium, one guest house, one hospital and a canteen would also be set up.

The building construction department has been entrusted with the task of carrying out the ambitious project, which would cost around Rs 300 crore.

As far as the design of the duplex is concerned, the department has procured some blueprints from experts but a final decision is yet to be taken.

Around 40 acres would be required for setting up this complex and the department is still to decide on the location.

For setting up this complex at the existing residential area along Beer Chand Patel Path where many MLA flats are located, the building construction department would have to acquire land of the circuit house and also of Miller School.

However, there is some opposition to the proposal of disturbing the premises of the Miller school.

Should the opposition persist, the proposed complex would have to be constructed in two parts and the second part would have to be set up near R-block.

Confirming that the location for the proposed complex is yet to be finalised, building construction department secretary Sudhir Kumar said: “Setting up the proposed complex at one place would be given first priority but if there is a space constraint then two separate complexes would be built.”

He said the final decision on the location of the project would be taken soon. There is another aspect that needs to be taken care of. It pertains to providing alternative accommodation facilities to the MLAs and MLCs whose existing residences would be demolished for setting up the proposed complex.

Sources in the construction department said this aspect would also be spoken about before a final decision is arrived at.

Whatever the decision, MLAs and MLCs from different political parties appear to be more than happy with the state government’s move.

“The existing MLA flats are not in good shape and a new complex with duplex accommodation would certainly be a step in the right direction,” BJP MLA Pramod Kumar said.

CPI MLC Kedar Nath Pandey said: “One complex would help in reducing the expenses that the state government has to incur for providing security to the people’s representatives. The state government can address the security issue just by deputing a limited number of security personnel at key points.”

Congress MLC Mahachandra Prasad Singh said the availability of sufficient number of duplex and transit hostels would also end the race among people’s representatives for getting a residence as is the practice now.

Singh was referring to the present accommodation structure for MLAs and MLCs that does not allow good accommodation facilities for everyone.