Toilets upgraded for Rs 35 lakh are for public: Planning Commission

New Delhi: The Planning Commission has issued a statement slamming the reports of wasteful expenses on renovating two toilets in Yojana Bhawan calling it a routine maintenance and upgradation.

The Planning Commission also said that the toilets being renovated are for the public and not for senior officials. "The toilets being repaired or renovated are public toilet blocks and not private toilets for senior officials or members," the Planning commission statement said.

"The costing and execution of works is done by the CPWD, which is the authorised government agency to do the same. The entire work is being done within the budgetary allocation and following the prescribed procedure," Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.

The Planning Commission has slammed the reports of wasteful expenses calling it a routine maintenance.

An RTI enquiry had revealed that Rs 35 lakh was recently spent on renovating two toilets in Yojana Bhawan, where the Planning Commission is located. The renovation included installation of CCTVs in the corridor. Around Rs 5 lakh was also spent on a smart card system to limit entry to the toilets.

The report raises big questions:

- Is a decent toilet in a government office a waste of public money?

- Is Montek Singh being singled out because of the poverty line debate?

- Is Rs 35 lakh for two toilets an extravagance?

Also See

• Planning Commission toilets renovated at Rs 35 lakh

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