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Homeless MPs inconvenienced by squatters
Nearly 30 defeated MPs are yet to vacate their official quarters at Madiwela and their continuous stay is causing inconvenience to newcomers who are seeking accommodation.

Some of these former MPs are reported to have permitted their relatives or friends to stay on in the quarters in the complex which could provide accommodation to about 120 members.

The Sunday Times learns that the Parliament office has sent the former members letters asking them to vacate their quarters or face legal action. Some of the ex-MPs have also been told to pay Rs. 500 a day for overstaying.

Some of them have cited various reasons for overstaying, including children's education being affected and not having alternative places to move out to. One of the MPs defeated at the 2001 elections is among those who have not yet vacated their homes.

Former TNA member Chandra Nehru told The Sunday Times that he was planning to hand over the keys shortly. As many as 13 of the 22 MPs elected from the TNA have sought accommodation in the quarters. TNA member Sivanathan Kishore said that Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara had assured that arrangements would be made to provide accommodation when Parliament met next on June 8.

In the event of failure to provide new MPs accommodation at the Madiwela quarters, the Parliamentary authorities would be compelled to look for alternative houses elsewhere and pay the rent on behalf of the MPs.

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