The Hindu : New Delhi News : Rajya Sabha Secretariat for space in new Civic Centre

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2008
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Rajya Sabha Secretariat for space in new Civic Centre

Staff Reporter

Seven-member team meets MCD Standing Committee chief

Request space of about 20,000 square metres
Comprehensive letter of intent sought

NEW DELHI: To seek space for its offices in the new Civic Centre being constructed in the Capital by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, a seven-member delegation of Rajya Sabha Secretariat officials led by Secretary-General V.K. Agnihotri called on the Chairman of the MCD Standing Committee, Vijender Gupta, here on Tuesday. Municipal Commissioner K.S. Mehra was also present at the meeting. Expressing happiness at receiving the request from Rajya Sabha, Mr. Gupta said the delegation came after a careful examination of the design, location and construction of the Civic Centre. The initiative had been taken with prior approval of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Vice-President Hamid Ansari.

“The delegation has requested space of about 20,000 square metres for its office and a meeting hall for members. This additional space is required as the number of committees in Parliament has been augmented from 18 to 24 and a new House Committee has also been constituted,” said Mr. Gupta.“Moreover, the work relating to Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund has also increased and in view of all the additional activities of the Rajya Sabha Secretariat and its increased office staff, the additional space is required,” he added.

According to Mr. Gupta, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat has requested that it be provided space as early as possible and informed that its office would be a paperless place and the entire system would be computerised.

Describing the salient features of the new Civic Centre, Mr. Gupta said it would be possible to commute between the Rajya Sabha and the Civic Centre within a few minutes through conveniently located Delhi Metro rail stations at both ends.

The MCD Commissioner also informed the delegation that special security arrangements would be made at the Civic Centre. In addition, a helipad has been proposed on the roof.

Mr. Gupta said the MCD would consider the Rajya Sabha Secretariat’s request in the light of the negotiations and requirement of the Income Tax Dept. which has already been provided 5.43 lakh square feet at the rate of 42,000 per square feet. The total area of the civic centre is about 12 lakh square feet.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has been requested to send a comprehensive letter of intent to enable the MCD to examine the requirement in a holistic perspective. Mr. Gupta told the Rajya Sabha officials that the MCD had worked out an indicative cost of Rs.2,400 crore to the Income Tax Department on a 99-year lease with annual lease rent of Rs.58 crore for the first year and an annual increase of 2.5 per cent.

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