The Bihar government has sparked a fresh political debate after the state cabinet approved a policy allowing cabinet ministers, senior legislators, and certain key assembly functionaries to maintain two official residences. The new policy stipulates that these additional homes will be available at a nominal rent of around ₹1,800–1,900 per month, with occupants responsible for their own utilities, such as electricity and telephone charges.

While the government describes this as a move towards efficient resource utilisation, opposition parties have criticised the decision as unethical, inappropriate, and unnecessary, arguing that it represents a misuse of state assets for political advantage.

Government Rationale

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Building Construction Department (BCD) Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudharydefended the policy, explaining that it is aimed at putting vacant legislator-allocated houses to productive use. These homes, he said, are often left unoccupied when legislators are elevated to ministerial positions or granted equivalent status, as they are simultaneously allotted spacious bungalows from other departments.

“Why let constituency-specific houses deteriorate when they could be occupied?” Chaudhary remarked. “Under this policy, eligible legislators—including cabinet ministers, assembly speaker, deputy speaker, legislative council chairman and deputy, and other leaders with ministerial rank—can claim these homes for a nominal rent. The residences are strictly for residential use.”

The policy is intended to make better use of two separate pools of government housing:

1. Central pool – managed by the BCD, primarily for ministerial allocations.
2. Legislative pool – specifically tailored for elected representatives.

Chaudhary further explained that the policy ensures that constituency-based allocations are not wasted. When a legislator rises to a ministerial post without receiving a cabinet accommodation, their original constituency-designated home would otherwise remain empty. By allowing eligible legislators to occupy these homes, the government claims it is optimising available resources rather than granting additional perks.

Details of the Housing Allocation

The Bihar government maintains extensive housing infrastructure for its legislators:

• MLA Complex: 243 homes, each measuring 3,681 square feet, one for every assembly constituency.
• MLC Residences: 75 similarly sized units for members of the legislative council.

The new policy allows not only cabinet ministers but also senior legislators who hold ministerial status—even if not in the cabinet—to avail themselves of a second residence. The rules stipulate that the homes cannot be swapped across constituencies and are strictly intended for official residential purposes.

Opposition Criticism

Opposition leaders have expressed strong disapproval of the policy, framing it as a misuse of public resources. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Mangal Lal Mandal questioned the need for ministers to have two residences, calling the move “unnecessary and politically motivated.”

Similarly, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) spokesperson Asit Nath Tiwari criticised the nominal rent, noting that homes worth several lakhs are being allotted to legislators for as little as ₹1,700 per month. “Instead of using public housing for the poor, the government is distributing benefits to its own leaders,” Tiwari said, terming it as a distorted version of socialism.

The opposition has raised concerns that the policy may further entrench the privileges of ruling party leaders while failing to address housing needs for ordinary citizens.

Government Response and Context

The government insists that the policy is not intended as a perk or favour, but as a mechanism for smart resource management. Chaudhary highlighted that vacant legislator homes are common and allowing them to be occupied by senior legislators or ministers ensures that public property is not left underutilised.

Officials noted that the second residences will only be available under strict conditions:

• Homes must be used solely for residential purposes.
• Occupants will pay nominal rent and bear the cost of utilities.
• Residences cannot be swapped between constituencies or used for any other purpose.

The policy also acknowledges the hierarchical structure of legislative housing needs, prioritising cabinet ministers, senior legislators, and assembly functionaries, while retaining existing provisions for ordinary legislators and MLCs.

Political and Public Implications

The decision comes amid ongoing debates about public resource management, governance ethics, and legislative privileges. Critics argue that while the government frames the policy as an optimisation strategy, the optics of providing luxurious homes at token rents to political leaders may invite public backlash.

Supporters contend that unused legislator houses are a wasted resource, and the policy simply ensures efficient use of government assets without creating additional financial burden on the exchequer.

This development adds a new dimension to Bihar’s political discourse, highlighting the tension between administrative efficiency and public perception of governance ethics. While the policy is expected to improve occupancy rates of state-provided housing, the opposition is likely to keep pressing the government on the moral and social implications of granting what some perceive as unnecessary privileges to lawmakers.

In conclusion, Bihar’s new housing policy permits cabinet ministers, senior legislators, and key assembly officials to maintain two official residences at nominal rent, with the government framing it as a measure for efficient resource management. Opposition parties have criticised it as a misuse of state assets, sparking debate over governance priorities and fairness in the allocation of government-provided housing.