Chandigarh Administrator Enforces Stricter Guidelines Following The Indian Express Reports
In response to recent revelations published by The Indian Express, Banwarilal Purohit, the Administrator of Chandigarh, has taken decisive action. Purohit, who serves as both the Punjab Governor and the administrator of the union territory, has announced a ban on air travel and hotel stays for IAS officers traveling between Chandigarh and Delhi.
The reports in The Indian Express shed light on the excessive spending habits of UT officers during their official domestic trips. Detailed accounts highlighted significant expenditures incurred by IAS officers during their travels, raising concerns about fiscal responsibility. Notably, UT Adviser Dharam Pal and Home Secretary Nitin Yadav’s travel bills raised eyebrows, with Dharam Pal’s expenses totaling Rs 16 lakh for 121 days of travel and Nitin Yadav spending Rs 6 lakh for a series of trips, primarily to Delhi.
Acting swiftly in response to these findings, Purohit issued a set of orders aimed at curtailing unnecessary expenses. In his directives, Purohit emphasized the importance of responsible use of public funds, emphasizing that wasteful expenditures must be avoided at all costs.
Purohit’s orders dictate that air travel between Chandigarh and Delhi is strictly prohibited. Instead, officials are required to opt for Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains for their travel needs. Furthermore, the Administrator specified that accommodations for IAS officers should be limited to the UT Guest House, Punjab Bhawan, or Haryana Bhawan, with stays in star hotels being explicitly prohibited.
Purohit’s proactive response underscores his commitment to fiscal prudence and accountability within the Chandigarh administration.
