IAS OFFICER WASTES STATE FUNDS ON HIS BATHROOM

Parida, an IAS Officer at Hyderabad, got Rs 20 lakh from exchequer to renovate his bathroom. Ironically, the state had earlier issued orders to all departments to be prudent in spending as the financial situation was not encouraging due to the economic slowdown.
A top IAS officer in the State has spent nearly Rs 20 lakh to renovate his bathroom and do other repairs in his quarters.

The amount spent by Mr A.K. Parida, principal secretary (transport, roads and buildings) would be enough for a middle-class family to buy a decent house in the city.

However, the state government happily sanctioned the renovation and also issued two government orders for release of funds.

Thanks to the government's generosity, Mr Parida, a powerful bureaucrat, could beautify his bathroom with vitrified flooring.

The chief engineer of the buildings department had submitted an estimate for Rs.19.23 lakh for certain civil works in Quarter.No. 4 at Kundanbagh allotted to Mr Parida, and sought administrative sanction for the estimate.

The government sanctioned Rs 5 lakh in Decem ber and another Rs 14.23 lakh on January 23 by issuing GO Rt No.138.

Ironically, the state government had earlier issued orders to all departments to be prudent in spending as the financial situation was not encouraging because of the economic slowdown. Some of the departments were even asked to reduce the normal expenditure.

Dr T. Chatterji, principal secretary of roads and buildings had approved the proposals and issued orders.

The transport and roads and buildings department looks after the maintenance of all IAS officers’ accommodation.

As per rules, renovations in IAS quarters should not exceed Rs 1 lakh a year. However, throwing the rules to the wind, nearly Rs 20 lakh was released for single quarter and that too for renovation of a bathroom.

There are fears that this would prompt other top officials too to go for stylish renovations of their quarters.

Source : Deccan Chronicle Hyderabad Edition Page 3, 28 Jan 2009