In a significant administrative move to ensure financial prudence and optimal utilization of state resources, the Rajasthan government has imposed a strict ban on holding official meetings and events in private hotels. Chief Secretary V. Srinivas issued a formal circular on Wednesday, directing all government departments, corporations, autonomous bodies, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to take advantage of government-owned infrastructure for their official requirements. This directive is part of a broader effort to streamline administrative spending and enhance the utility of existing state facilities.
Strict Ban on Private Venue Bookings
According to the circular, government departments are now prohibited from organizing exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and official functions in private hotels or venues under normal circumstances. The Chief Secretary emphasized that all such activities must be conducted within government buildings, auditoriums, or conference halls. The order highlights that the practice of choosing private venues for routine administrative tasks leads to avoidable expenditure, which the state now seeks to eliminate through these new guidelines.
Mandatory Use of Government Infrastructure
The state government has identified several high-quality facilities that are fully equipped to host large-scale events, while these include the Rajasthan International Center (RIC), the Constitution Club, the Indira Gandhi Panchायती Raj Sansthan (IGPRS), the Harish Chandra Mathur Rajasthan State Institute of Public Administration (HCM RIPA), and the State Institute of Agriculture Management (SIAM) in Durgapura. The circular mandates that these institutions should be the primary choice for any departmental gathering, ensuring that state-funded infrastructure is put to its best use.
Approval Process via High-Level Committee
The new policy does allow for exceptions in extraordinary situations where a private venue might be necessary. However, such cases will require prior approval from a high-level committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, while departments must provide a valid justification for why government facilities can't accommodate the specific event. This measure ensures that private bookings are only made when absolutely essential and after thorough scrutiny by the top brass of the administration.
Committee Composition and Review Mechanism
The committee responsible for reviewing requests for private venue usage will include the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) or Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, the Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD), and the ACS or Principal Secretary of the department organizing the event. This committee will evaluate the necessity of the request based on the scale of the event, the number of participants, and the availability of government halls on the requested dates.
Objective Behind the New Directives
The primary objective of this circular is to instill financial discipline across all levels of the state administration. By shifting events to government-owned venues, the state aims to reduce the financial burden on the exchequer while simultaneously supporting the maintenance and operational viability of its own institutions. The directive has been circulated to all Principal Secretaries, Heads of Departments, and District Collectors for immediate and strict implementation across the state of Rajasthan.