PATNA, Jan. 16 -- In a move that's stirred debate amid Bihar's ongoing housing crunch for public figures, the state cabinet has greenlit a policy allowing cabinet ministers, senior legislators and key assembly functionaries to maintain two official residences-one from their ministry allotments and another tied to the state legislature. However, the facility will be available on a small rent. The decision, endorsed during Tuesday's cabinet meeting under CM Nitish Kumar, comes at a sensitive juncture. Just as former CM Rabri Devi faces eviction from her 10 Circular Road bungalow, shifting to a more modest spot on Hardinge Road, the government is extending dual accommodations to its senior legislators. Opposition leaders flayed the decision, dubbing it as unethical and uncalled for. State RJD president Manganl Lal Mandal wondered why ministers required two residences. "Residences are provided to ministers for convenience in government work, and to MLAs for legislative duties. What work is being left out with one residence that requires a second one?" he asked. Bihar Congress committee spokesman Asit Nath Tiwari said houses of Rs.3.5 lakh rent were being given to leaders for Rs.1,700 a month. "This is Nitish's version of socialism. Instead of providing homes to the poor, sweets (favours) are being distributed to ruling party leaders. Parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary justified the policy shift, emphasising smart resource management rather than perks. "We're simply putting vacant legislature-allotted homes to good use," Chaudhary said. These properties, he explained, were designated for MLAs and MLCs based on their constituencies but often remained empty when the occupants were given ministerial status and spacious bungalows from other departments. "Why let constituency-specific houses deteriorate when they could be occupied? Now eligible legislators-including ministers, speaker, deputy speaker, legislative council chairman and deputy, plus others with ministerial rank-can claim these spots for a monthly rent of Rs.1,800 to Rs.1,900. They'll cover their own utilities, like electricity and phone bills, and the homes are strictly for residential use, no exceptions," clarified Chaudhary....