HC questions occupation of govt houses by former chief parliamentary secretaries

Shimla: Observing that six former chief parliamentary secretaries were continuing to enjoy govt accommodations without paying licence fees, the Himachal Pradesh high court has questioned the state govt for allowing them to retain govt housing beyond their entitlement.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi observed that the former chief parliamentary secretaries were neither paying licence fees for the govt houses nor was any amount being deducted from their salaries by the Vidhan Sabha secretariat.On Nov 13, 2024, the high court quashed the appointment of six chief parliamentary secretaries appointed by the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress govt in January 2023. These included MLAs Mohan Lal Brakta (Rohru), Ashish Butail (Palampur), Ram Kumar Chaudhary (Doon), Kishori Lal (Baijnath), Sanjay Awasthi (Arki) and Sunder Singh Thakur (Kullu).The court noted that the state govt had allowed the former chief parliamentary secretaries to retain the accommodations subject to the final outcome of the special leave petition (SLP) pending before the Supreme Court. However, the bench pointed out that there was no stay on their removal from office and that only paragraph 53 of the earlier judgment relating to their disqualification had been stayed."Under such circumstances, the occupants continue to utilise govt accommodations far beyond their entitlement, and no steps have been taken to cancel the same," the bench observed.The additional advocate general has sought time to place on record the state govt's decision of June 6, 2025.The court was hearing the matter concerning the retention of official residences by the former chief parliamentary secretaries.On Dec 29 last year, the high court expressed concern that the former chief parliamentary secretaries were occupying prime govt residences located close to the high court, which could otherwise be allotted to judges commuting from long distances.The court then directed the special secretary (general administration department) to file an affidavit detailing the occupants, the duration of their occupation after cancellation of their appointments, and whether any licence fee was charged for the continued occupation of govt accommodations.MSID:: 130957761 413 |