Patna, Nov 27 (Reporter) Bihar assembly was informed on Wednesday that a decision had been taken to grant status of Minister of state to whips of parties in both Houses of state legislature. Rural Development Minister Shrawan Kumar, also in-charge Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, presented a copy of the gazette in the house, published regarding amendment of related rules effected after consent given by Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. As per "Bihar Legislature Leader of the Opposition, Parliamentary Secretary, Whip and Leader of House (Salary and Allowances)(Amendment) Rules 2024 ", whips of parties of both the Houses of Bihar Legislature will get pay, allowances and other facilities at par with state ministers of the government. Chief Whips of parties are already entitled to avail facilities of cabinet ministers in Bihar. Two bills--Bihar Government Premises (Allotment, Rent Realisation and Eviction) (amendment) Bill 2024 and Bihar Sports University(Amendment) Bill 2024 were also passed in house during its post lunch sitting. When bills were presented in Assembly, the opposition staged a walkout from the house protesting against Waqf Amendment Bill brought by the Centre in Parliament. Despite repeated requests from Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav to maintain order, opposition members protesting against Waqf Amendment Bill, trooped into well. Later , they walked out from the House and bills were passed in absence of opposition. In-Charge Minister of Road Construction Department Jayant Raj while deliberating on motive behind bringing the bill, said there was no concrete legal provisions to fix the rent, its revision and realisation from those who were allotted government premises. He said that provision was not clearly defined on how to deal with the issues in cases of deaths of allottees or lease holders. The Bill once took the shape of law, it would be easy to handle the situation taking steps for eviction from the government premises, he added. After disposal of the scheduled business, the Speaker adjourned the house till Thursday...////...