Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s plan to spark a row

Official sources said the department has estimated the cost at a whooping Rs 26.15 crore. The proposal has been sent to Mr Rao for approval. Former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy had constructed his camp office in Begumpet with all the facilities for less than Rs 10 crore in January 2005, which too had invited severe criticism then for splurging such a huge amount.

Now, the tripling of the cost estimate within 10 years may trigger criticism from various quarters at a time when the new state is facing severe financial constraints. Mr Rao is already coming under fire from Opposition parties for moving out of the existing camp office in Begumpet under the pretext of “vastu dosha” and for his plans to build a new one with over Rs 26.15 crore.

Sources said that Mr Rao wants a three-storied building constructed on about 3 acre adjacent to his existing camp office where the Judges quarters exist, in accordance with his vastu needs.

Residential quarters for his personal staff besides a mini theatre and a TV studio to enable live telecast of CM’s programm-es are also being planned. Huge amount of public money has been spent on the existing camp office to rectify vastu defects and for renovation works whenever a new CM has taken over since 2009, after the demise of YSR.

Former chief minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy had spent over Rs 1.85 crore to take up various renovation works in the name of security during his stay for a little over three years. K. Rosaiah, who had stayed for a brief period, of less than one year, had also taken up modifications and spent over Rs 1 crore.

Mr Rao, who moved into the camp office after much dilly-dallying, also spent nearly Rs 2 crore to rectify vastu defects and renovation works.

However, Mr Rao is apparently still not satisfied with the vastu of his camp office even after taking up several modifications.

After taking over as CM on June 2, Mr Rao was reluctant to move into the Begumpet camp offi-ce citing vastu defects. Later, he zeroed in on a new camp office at ministers’ quarters in Kundan-bagh.

Two adjoining buildings were identified for the purpose which were then occupied by IAS officer A.K. Parida and IPS officer M. Mahender Reddy. They were asked to vac-ate the premises immediately and a GO was issued in this regard.

However, Mr Rao later dropped his Kundanbagh plans and opted for the Begumpet camp office. He moved into the camp office on June 2 after performing vastu puja and Sudarshana Yagam.