Nizamabad: Shifting former MLAs from their official camp offices in their constituencies has turned into a herculean task for officials.
With most sitting MLAs of the previous State Legislative Assembly having been defeated, the new entrants are readying to occupy the camp offices in their respective assembly constituencies across the state.
The roads and Buildings (R&B) department is supervising the MLA camp offices issue. A few defeated MLAs are reportedly trying to shift the furniture from camp offices, which has turned controversial.
After the formation of Telangana state, the then TRS government constructed MLA camp offices in each assembly constituency at Rs 1 crore. All 119 MLAs had their camp offices. Electricity bills and taxes of these offices are paid by the R&B department.
MLAs used the camp offices for holding review meetings with officials or supporters, receiving people from the constituency, and meeting party leaders. Some MLAs spent money from their constituency development fund to extend their camp offices and add facilities.
For instance, in the undivided Nizamabad district, all nine MLAs utilised their camp offices. Of them, only Banswada and Balkonda BRS MLAs have been re-elected in the November 30 elections. Nizamabad Rural, Nizamabad Urban, Bodhan, Armoor, Kamareddy, Yellareddy, and Jukkal camp offices are yet to be vacated by their previous occupants, who have been defeated in the assembly elections.
A couple of the former MLAs have handed over the keys to the camp offices to R&B officials, but others have not done so yet.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, R&B department superintending engineer G. Rajeshwar Reddy said they will hand over the camp offices to newly elected MLAs soon.
“A few MLAs have informed us that they will occupy the camp office on an auspicious day of their choice. Others have asked for repairs to be carried out,” the official explained.
In Bodhan, former MLA Shakil Amer’s followers tried to shift the furniture from the camp office claiming it as their own. But Congress activists raised objections. Police entered the scene and dispersed both groups by resorting to a mild lathi charge.
