Chintan Shivir at pvt resort draws flak
CHANDIGARH: The mantra of austerity seems to be gradually getting lost among the political fraternity. The first time BJP government in Haryana led by a first time MLA and pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), Manohar Lal Khattar, once drew pride in being cost conscious. But not anymore.
The Khattar government is drawing flak for planning to hold a three-day Chintan Shivir (workshop on governance issues), for bureaucrats and min- isters at an upscale private resort, Timber Trail Heights, in the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh from December 15 to 17.
As per an estimate, the state government will end up shelling at least ~10-12 lakh on hiring rooms at the hill resort for two nights besides spending about ~9-10 lakh on vegetarian meals without liquor. It is expected that around 100 people, including ministers, IAS, IPS and IFS officers, along with other officials and security personnel, will be present at the three-day Shivir.
While officers have been asked to share rooms, there is no clarity on the accommodation for ministers. All BJP MLAS have been invited for lunch on the last day.
Leader of the opposition, Abhay Singh Chautala, said the government could have held the Shivir at Haryana Tourism resorts at Surajkund in Faridabad or Morni in Panchkula. “On one hand chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar preaches austerity by travelling in economy class but on the other hand, the state government does not shy away from splurging on the tax payers money by organising an event at a private resort and that too in another state,’’ said Chautala.
Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda too criticised the move. The BJP only knows three things: charcha (discussion), bhojan (meals) and vishram (rest),’’ he said ridiculing it.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE PARTICIPANTS
The ministers and officers will be taken to the hill resort in buses and no official or personal vehicle will be allowed. They will be ferried to the heights in cable cars on the ropeway. However, they will have access to their official vehicles to leave for Chandigarh on the final day of the event.