(i) The Speaker shal be provided with a free-furnisheu residence with grounds appurtenant thereto in Shillong throughout the year, and also at any other plare which the St~te Govern rn ent may, from time to time, for the purpose of this Act declare to be the headquarters of Gov~rnment, for so long as such declaration remafas in force or at a place where the Assam Legialative Assembly meets.
(ii) Such residence and the groun?s appurtenant thereto, shall be maintained at the public expen~e which shall not exceed the amount prescribed by rules:
Provided that if the Speaker does not occupy the free-furnished residence provided by the Gove,rnment, a house rent allowance at the rate of rupees two hundred and fifty per mensem and such service allowances as may be prescribed by rules shall be paid in lieu of such residence.
ExfJ/anation.-For the purpose of this section the expr~ssion "the public expense" shall include such expenses as may be prescribed by rules.