By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 27 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had recently appointed 11 BJP leaders on various Lal Batti posts with a status equivalent to either Cabinet Minister or Minister of State. However, the appointment letters issued to them then had mentioned the orders regarding facilities to be made available to them would be issued separately. Now the government has issued orders to this effect. It has raised the honorarium available to the Lal Batti holders, so far, as well as the cab allowance. Sources added that some more Lal Batti appointments are likely in near future as these are being made in several stages. There is no indication regarding expansion of the cabinet anytime in the near future.
As per the orders issued, it has been decided by the government to give an honorarium of Rs 45,000 per month to the Lal Batti holders. In addition, in case of the Lal Batti appointees not taking government vehicles and using taxis, the cab allowance has also been raised by Rs 20,000 per month to Rs 80,000 per month. However, those using their own vehicles will be given vehicle allowance of Rs 40,000 per month.
Apart from this, a provision has been made to give Rs 25,000 per month in case of non-availability of government residence or office. Those provided with government accommodation, will get Rs 10,000 per month as office allowance. Similarly, in case a government office space is provided to the Lal Batti holders, then an allowance of Rs 15,000 per month will be given as government housing allowance.
In addition, a lump sum amount of Rs 2,000 per month will be given for telephone and mobile facilities. Apart from this, an allowance of Rs 15,000 per month will also be given for the staff and Rs 12,000 per month for the personal attendants. This is besides the facility for railway and air travel for trips outside and inside the state which will also be given as per actual need. It may be recalled that while most of the facilities mentioned here had already been provided for in the existing rules, the amount of honorarium and some allowances has been raised by the government.
It may also be recalled that it was during the chief ministership of ND Tiwari that the state had witnessed the maximum number of Lal Batti holders. However, since then, such appointments have been rather restricted and though promised to many of the party leaders and workers, their wait turns endless.
