Ranchi, March 24: Chief Minister Raghubar Das today promised to allot plots in Ranchi to sitting and former MLAs and MPs within three months and assured all former legislators that henceforth, they would be invitees to official functions like Independence Day, Republic Day, Statehood Day, Gandhi Jayanti, et al.

Addressing the annual convention of Purva Vidhayak Parishad, an organisation of former legislators and parliamentarians, the chief minister promised to set things right and commented rather philosophically: "All of us are destined to become formers sooner or later. There is no dearth of resources, so long as we are in power and hold key positions. But, things go topsy-turvy once we are thrown out of power due to various reasons."

Das was responding to the organisation's longstanding concerns including the demand for bodyguards, revision of pensions, and an office space with computers.

The former MLAs' organisation also pointed out that even thought they had deposited Rs 75,000 each with Vidhayak Sahkarita Samiti, an MLAs' cooperative society, for allotment of plots over a decade ago, noting had moved.

"Let me assure you all that a concrete decision on setting up a new Vidhan Sabha building and allotment of housing land to sitting and former MLAs and MPs will be taken within three months," Das said.

He also promised adequate security to former MLAs in tune with their threat perception, but advised them not to seek "protection" merely as a status symbol.

"There is an acute shortage of manpower in the police department. Fighting against Naxalism and improving law and order is our main challenge on the policing front. We also need to tighten erring officials. Why should an IAS officer keep four to five bodyguards?" the chief minister argued, adding that it was up to legislators to set a good example.

On other benefits for former MLAs, Das said his government would take appropriate decisions in tune with recommendations of the Arup Chatterjee committee set up by Speaker Dinesh Oraon to look into these issues.

Das also sought suggestions of the former legislators on a local residents' policy for the state and added that an all-party meeting would be convened within the next few days to finalise a draft within two months.

Speaker Oraon, who is the chief patron of the organisation, maintained that the Assembly secretariat was considering extending healthcare benefits to former MLAs and their spouses. He said necessary formalities to revise pensions of former MLAs would be completed by March 28.