RTI reply reveals Rs 5.2 crore taxpayers' money spent as rent as humble Panchayati Raj Ministry operates out of posh Delhi hotel for last 4 years citing 'space crunch'
RTI reply reveals Rs 5.2 crore taxpayers' money spent as rent as humble Panchayati Raj Ministry operates out of posh Delhi hotel for last 4 years citing 'space crunch'
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Waste of money? The 5,500-sq-ft space on the sixth floor of Samrat
Hotel in Chanakyapuri was hired on August 30, 2006, due to an 'acute
space crunch'. pic/Imtiyaz Khan
The 5,500 sq ft space on the sixth floor of Samrat Hotel in Chanakyapuri was hired from the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) on August 30, 2006, due to an 'acute space crunch'. Interestingly, the ministry is also functioning from a 4,406 sq ft office at Sardar Patel Bhawan and 1,800 sq ft of space at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi.
This information came to light in reply to an RTI application filed by a Delhi-based activist. The 5,500 sq ft space at Samrat Hotel originally came with the price tag of Rs 195 per sq ft as rent per month, for a period of two years commencing from September 1, 2006, to be extended further with an increase of 8 per cent after expiry of the tenure. After the period lapsed on August 30, 2008, the present rate of rent became Rs 210.60 per sq ft, from September 1, 2008. The total adds up to more than Rs 5.22 crore spent as rent so far.
The RTI reveals that at present the office premises of the ministry at Samrat Hotel are occupied by an additional secretary, a joint secretary, a director, a national project manager, two under-secretaries, two private secretaries, two section officers along with their staff members and security personnel. In all, there are six officers' rooms, a National Informatics Centre (NIC) room, a record room, a drivers' room and a large hall, which staff members of Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) and other departments occupy. In addition to this a conference room has been prepared for convening meetings at the Samrat Hotel office.
| Rental rate |
| Rent per month (prior to September 1, 2008): Rs 10,72,500 |
Prior to May 27, 2004, Panchayati Raj was a part of the Rural Development Ministry.
To make panchayat institutions effective units of local self-governance and to ensure attainment of both economic development and social justice in rural areas where the bulk of Indian population lives, it was felt imperative to create a full-fledged Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Accordingly, the ministry came into existence from May 27, 2004. Initially only six posts were sanctioned in the ministry. Later on additional posts were allotted and an office measuring 4,406 sq ft was allocated at Sardar Patel Bhavan. As this office space was found insufficient, it was felt necessary to hire some additional space.
| The Other Side |
| Despite repeated attempts by MiD DAY, ministry officials did not respond to calls for clarifications. |
The RTI reply says that as per the rent negotiation committee, the tariff of the hired accommodation has been fixed at Rs 215 per sq ft, with maintenance charges at Rs 2 per sq ft. Currently, renovation of the space is being conducted by CPWD. The Panchayati Raj Ministry plans to move into its new offices as soon as work is completed.
| FIVE WISE MEN |
| The panchayati raj is a political system prevalent mainly in India, Pakistan, and Nepal. "Panchayat" literally means assembly (yat) of five (panch) wise and respected elders chosen and accepted by the village community. Traditionally, these assemblies settled disputes between individuals and villages. India has decentralised several administrative functions to the village level, empowering elected gram panchayats. Gram panchayats are not to be confused with the unelected khap panchayats (or caste panchayats) found in some parts of the country. |
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