Hyderabad: Vaastu-compliance makes MLA quarters a sweet deal

Hyderabad: The Vaastu-compliance of MLA quarters at Hyderguda has created demand like never before. Breaking the tradition of avoiding MLA quarters and staying at their own houses, there is a large number of requests for space in the newly constructed MLA quarters at Hyderguda.

The 120 flats in the new complex are yet to be allocated and Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy will take a call on who will be given accommodation in an amenities committee meeting. A muhurtam will be picked for the inauguration by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao following the allocation. Electricity, water and maintenance are free, while cooking gas will be supplied through pipes. The MLAs will need to pay for the gas based on the usage.

There are five places reserved for MLAs in the city — Erramanzil, Panjagutta, New MLA Quarters, Old MLA MS1 and Old MLA MS2. There are 56 quarters in MS2 and 60 in New MLA Quarters which are occupied by MLAs and ex-MLAs.

According to officials, upon their request to the Speaker, some flats have been allocated to 4-5 MPs. On the other hand, some MLAs are reportedly not moving to the older accommodation due to vaastu reasons. They are of the opinion that their current residence has fetched them luck. The Old MLA quarters will be allocated to MLCs.

The MLA Quarters allocated to the AP government at Erramanzil is in a dilapidated condition and hardly anyone uses it. The Panjagutta quarters are being used by very few members and by the roads and buildings and Assembly departments. In the New MLA quarters, about 65 houses were given to TS while the remaining are with AP.

Sources said that while most of the MLAs used to prefer residences near their constituencies, the trend is changing. Many of them are asking about the new apartments. Each MLA gets a Rs 2.75-lakh salary. If they avail the accommodation, Rs 25,000 will be deducted. Ex-MLAs get the quarters at Rs 15,000.

Asked about misuse, officials said they maintain a room profile and stated that there has been no discrepancy in the allocations made. In the absence of MLAs, their relatives are making use of these flats as makeshift residences.

Meanwhile, Mr Chandrasekhar Rao has also planned to construct camp offices in all the Assembly constituencies to ensure that the representatives stay close to the people.