(?) The Deputy Speaker shall be provided with a free-furnished residence with grounds appurtenant thereto, in Shillong throughout the year, and also at any other place which the State Government may, from time to time, for the purpose of this Act declare to be the headquarters of Government for so long as such declara tion remains in force, or at a place where the Assam Legislative Assembly meets.
(?7) Such residence and the grounds appurtenant thereto shall be maintained at the public expense which shall not exceed the amount as may be prescribed by rules:
Provided that if the Deputy Speaker does not occupy the free-furnished residence provided by the Government, a house rent allowance at the rate of rupees two hundred per mensem and such service allowances as may be prescribed by rules shall be paid in lieu of such residence.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this section the expression “ the public expenses” shall include such expenses as may be prescribed by rules.