Press Releases
| Tuesday, August 30, 2011 |
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Press Release No. 430/11 CLARIFICATION Shillong, August 30, 2011: The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a news item under the caption “RTI findings - Chief Minister, some Ministers claim house rent despite staying in own homes” which appeared in the local English daily on 30.8.2011. Among other things, the news item alleges that the RTI finding states that the majority of the Cabinet Ministers including Chief Minister were claiming house rent despite staying in their own homes. This is to clarify that under the provisions of the Meghalaya Ministers Allowances and Privileges Rules, 1997, if a Minister does not occupy the residence provided by the Government, or if he is not provided with a Government accommodation, the private residence occupied by him/her would stand requisitioned and rent allowance as permissible under the rules would be provided to the concerned Minister. Therefore, any Minister would be legally entitled to house rent allowance, even when he stays in his own private residence. The news item as indicated above is therefore based on incorrect interpretation and understanding of the relevant rules. |
