Jaipur: Rajasthan govt has ordered all departments, corporations, autonomous bodies and PSUs to hold official events only at govt-owned venues, barring hotels and private facilities except in special circumstances.A finance department circular signed by chief secretary V Srinivas says departments often hold “programmes, exhibitions, seminars, meetings and other functions” at hotels and private venues despite “fully equipped govt conference halls and auditoriums” being available. It makes it mandatory, “as far as possible,” to use govt buildings and institutions to ensure better use of public assets and curb avoidable spending.“Therefore, it is directed that in the future, programmes, exhibitions, functions, meetings, seminars, etc organised by various state govt departments, corporations, autonomous institutions and commissions will be held only in buildings and conference halls owned by the state govt or subordinate institutions,” the circular states.“This will ensure the efficient use of these facilities developed by the state govt and prevent unnecessary expenditure of public funds,” it adds.The circular lists venues to be used, including Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), Constitution Club, Indira Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sansthan (IGPRS), Harishchandra Mathur Rajasthan State Institute of Public Administration (HCM RIPA) and State Institute of Agricultural Management (SIAM).For exceptions, the order says prior approval will be required from a high-level committee headed by the chief secretary, with the additional chief secretary or principal secretary (finance), the principal secretary (general administration) and the senior-most secretary of the concerned department as members.
