Kolkata, Oct. 16 -- The Supreme Court on Friday termed a Nadia district administration circular requiring Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra and other legislators to give three to four days' advance notice for Circuit House accommodation "retaliatory" and modified the requirement to one day, directing that her accommodation request be processed as per protocol.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing Moitra's plea over her alleged late-night eviction from Krishnanagar Circuit House in
August and difficulties in implementing projects under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS).
Justice Bagchi questioned the September 1 circular, observing that its opening paragraph suggested retaliation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state, offered to withdraw it and introduce a standard operating procedure applicable to all legislators.
The Chief Justice said a short notice period would be reasonable to facilitate arrangements, suggesting that eight hours or a day should suffice.
Moitra's counsel agreed to one day's notice but insisted that accommodation be provided according to protocol.
Rejecting the state's argument that allotment should depend solely on availability, the bench said Moitra would have preferential accommodation rights as the elected representative of the constituency.
On the alleged delay in 18 MPLADS projects pending since May, the court asked the district administration to examine the matter and take appropriate steps.
It said Moitra could approach the jurisdictional High Court if she remained aggrieved.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.