Withdraw cabinet rank from former CMs, INLD leader asks Khattar

Chandigarh: Haryana's main opposition party Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has demanded from chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the withdrawal of cabinet rank status from former CMs of the state. In a letter addressed to the CM on Thursday, leader of opposition and senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala requested Khattar to reverse the decision taken by his predecessor Bhupinder Singh Hooda at the fag end of his tenure, to confer the status of a cabinet minister to former CMs of Haryana.Chautala said Hooda had taken the decision at a time when he was sure the Congress would not be able to form a government, and said it was a blatant abuse of power by him.
Abhay has written to the CM: "It is the considered opinion of INLD that by allotting government accommodation to former CMs, particularly to Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the state exchequer is being unnecessarily burdened. Hooda's alleged role in aiding and abetting unruly and disruptive elements involved in loot and arson incidents in the recent reservation agitation is well known to the people of the state. He, therefore, does not deserve to be allotted government accommodation in Chandigarh, and cabinet status."
Meanwhile, supporting the INLD demand, Haryana health minister Anil Vij also said it was his personal opinion that the state government should consider withdrawal of cabinet rank status and facilities from Hooda. In May 2013, the state cabinet headed by the then CM Hooda had approved the proposal regarding facilities to be provided to ex-chief ministers of Haryana. As per the decision, a former CM is entitled to rent-free furnished accommodation of the status of a cabinet minister, one private secretary, one assistant, one driver, four personal security officers (PSOs), and two peons.