Government says no to overstay at Circuit House

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Anupam Bhagria

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 8

Officials’ stay at the Circuit House has been cut short. The Department of Protocol, Government of Punjab, recently issued instructions to supervisors that no official was supposed to stay at the Circuit House for more than a month.

RL Chopra, supervisor, Circuit House, Ludhiana, said, “The order states that nobody will be allowed to stay in the Circuit House after 30 days. If an official wants to extend his stay, he will have to approach the Deputy Commissioner, who in turn will write an application to the Chief Secretary, Punjab. After getting the Chief Secretary’s approval, the official would be allowed to stay at the Circuit House.”

The instructions have jolted those who have not been allotted official residences. It is learnt that some officials have been overstaying at the Circuit Houses. A senior official of the Punjab Government said, “Mid-term transfer orders put officials in a fix as they don’t get residences easily. It takes time to vacate the place, where they are supposed to live. Circuit House is the only option left with them. The order will only aggravate the woes of such officials.” There are 20 rooms at the Circuit House in Ludhiana. The rent is Rs 100 per day. Guests sent by a politician or an official are charged Rs 1,200 per day.

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Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, said, “I am yet to receive an official communication.”