In a major austerity drive, the Telangana state administration has issued a firm directive to relocate all its offices currently operating from private buildings to government-owned premises. This decisive move aims to curb the substantial annual expenditure of approximately Rs 510 crore spent on renting private office spaces.
Chief Minister's Deadline and Official Directive
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy set a clear deadline during a review meeting on Tuesday, instructing officials to complete the entire shifting process by January 31. This instruction follows an official memo issued last week by Chief Secretary K Rama Krishna Rao, which mandated the relocation of all offices, including universities and corporations, to available government buildings.
The decision highlights a longstanding paradox where numerous government buildings and complexes have remained vacant for years while the state continued to pay hefty rents for private accommodations. The General Administration Department (GAD) estimates that around 30% of government offices are currently functioning from private spaces.
Vacant Complexes and Reluctance to Move
Significant government complexes like Budha Bhavan, Mythrivanam, Swarna Jayanthi Complex, Gruha Kalpa, and BRKR Bhavan have vacant floors ready for occupancy. However, a senior government official pointed out a key challenge: many departments are hesitant to move into these government complexes due to poor maintenance. Occupying these spaces would require additional departmental funds for renovation.
There is, however, notable demand for recently renovated complexes like BRKR Bhavan. Meanwhile, specific departments, such as mines and geology Despite the clear directive, department heads have raised practical concerns about meeting the one-month deadline. Challenges include serving notice periods as per existing lease agreements and informing property owners about vacating the premises. Furthermore, immediate shifting is hampered by the need for furniture arrangement and minor repairs in the older government buildings, a task complicated by the fact that the Roads and Buildings department has ceased maintenance for some of these structures. The GAD is now tasked with a crucial role: compiling complete information on both the government offices in private buildings and the available space in state-owned complexes. This report is expected to be submitted to the chief secretary within the next few days, forming the blueprint for this large-scale administrative relocation aimed at fiscal prudence.Logistical Hurdles and the Path Forward
