Lakshadweep Opens Quarters to Contract Employees; Immigration Bill Stirs Debate

The Lakshadweep Administration permits local boards to allocate quarters to contract employees after regulars. Meanwhile, the Immigration Bill 2025, introduced in Lok Sabha, seeks to update immigration laws but faces opposition over potential constitutional rights violations.

The Lakshadweep Administration has announced a new policy allowing contract employees to be considered for housing quarters, provided that such allocations are made after regular employees have received housing, and subject to availability. The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, made the announcement on Tuesday in Parliament.

The allotment will require contract employees to pay three times the standard licence fee, akin to the fees for government employees when allocated superior accommodations. Employees must vacate their quarters within a month if required for administrative reasons, and a seniority list will be used to determine eligibility.

In a significant development at the Lok Sabha, the Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 was introduced by the Union Home Minister of State. The bill plans to revamp India's immigration laws but was met with criticism from Congress MP Manish Tewari, who argued it infringes upon several constitutional rights.

(With inputs from agencies.)