ADM holding two govt quarters

Subhro Maitra tnn
Malda: A government officer has been occupying two service quarters in different districts for nearly two years now, one for himself and the other for his family. Murshidabad district magistrate who has Pervez Siddique has initiated an inquiry and promised prompt action.
Balai Chand Banerjee, additional executive officer of Malda Zilla Parishad, is currently residing in the government quarter at Ramnagar Kachhari, Malda. But his family still lives at Behrampore Ganga Housing where he was posted as district planning and rural development officer prior to his current posting.
As per the state government rule, an employee cannot hold two quarters at the same time. However, in special cases, permission is granted to an officer to retain the quarter for a short period to facilitate the family's transfer to the new quarter. But a year-and-a-half is too long a period.
Banerjee, whose son is also block development officer of Raninagar, Murshidabad, left his family at Behrampore. Clarifying his position, Banerjee said, "Neither I, nor my son, draw any house rent allowance from the government."
The DM is not willing to listen to such excuses and ordered an enquiry. "If it is seen that some one not staying in the district is holding on to a housing here, I'll take appropriate action," he said.
At the administrative level, action has already been initiated with the family being asked to vacate the quarter at Behrampore. The house has been allotted to district information and cultural officer, Murshidabad.