Exhibit state infra during investors’ meet, depts told

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 31

Government departments have been directed to hold exhibitions during the forthcoming investors’ meet in Dharamsala. Sources said the departments would have to pay Rs 12 lakh each to the event management company hired for the meet.

While some departments have given the amount to the company, officials of others are in a fix. Some government officials said Rs 12 lakh for an exhibition was too high. It would be difficult for them to justify the expenditure and there would be audit objections later on. The sources said some government officials had maintained that they would just take the place for exhibition from the event manager and put up their stalls. “We can put up a stall at a cost of Rs 2 lakh instead of paying Rs 12 lakh to the event manager,” said an official.

The officials are also questioning the logic of holding exhibitions. The sources said even the PWD and IPH Department had been asked to put up stalls.

The government hardly has any policy for inviting private investment in basic infrastructure or works related to the PWD and the IPH Department. “Most of the works in the departments are done by the departments on their own with funding from the state government or the Central agencies. In such a scenario, why are the departments being asked to hold exhibitions?” asked a government official.

The officials said the IPH and PWD exhibitions would display the infrastructure of the state before the investors.

“The departments are finding it difficult to make logistic arrangements for their employees. They have been told at the last minute to arrange for the exhibitions. Since about 1,500 rooms are being booked for guests, the departments will find it difficult to house their employees,” said the sources.

Meanwhile, a meeting was today held with officials of the district administration and event managers. The sources said platinum category visitors would be allotted a liaison officer by the state government during the event. The sources said most VIP guests would be officials of various embassies.