The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by the Herald Cooperative Group Housing Society Limited, Manimajra, states that this reservation is causing "tremendous loss to the state exchequer as the allotments are not thrown open for auction".

The petition further states that MLAs and MPs are the elected representatives of the people and should not be granted "unreasonable benefits" by the government. "Rather than these politicians, it is the general public, which is in dire need of accommodation in Chandigarh and Delhi," states the petition.

Arguing for the petitioner, advocate Gunjan Mehta said the last general elections were held in Haryana in February 2005 and the next polls are expected around 2010. "Therefore, only around one year is left for the elected legislators to visit New Delhi. That aside, the MLAs are also provided a House Building Advance of Rs 40 lakh for the construction or purchase of a house and Rs. 1.75 lakh for conducting major house repairs," said Mehta.

The petitioner submitted a list of 12 MLAs and ministers who have been allotted official residences in Chandigarh and Panchkula or are residing in their own houses which have been converted to official residences. This include:

• Chief Minister of Haryana, Sector 3, Chandigarh

• Deputy Chief Minister, Sector 8, Panchkula

• Finance Minister, Sector 5, Chandigarh

• Agriculture Minister, Sector 7, Chandigarh

• Education and Transport Minister

• Urban Local Bodies Minister

• Health Minister, Sector 5, Chandigarh

• Irrigation Minister, Sector 7, Chandigarh

• Industries Minister, Sector 12-A, Panchkula

• Power Minister, Sector 2, Chandigarh

• Minister of State for Tourism, Sector 7, Chandigarh

• Minister for Rehabilitation (Independent Charge), Sector 7, Chandigarh

MLA Hostel, Haryana, Sector 3, Chandigarh 40 rooms

MLA flats, Haryana, Sector 3, Chandigarh 38 flats

Two co-operative societies each in Panchkula and Gurgaon under Group Housing Scheme 2005 allotted by HUDA