Relocation of Telangana govt offices hits roadblock amid flawed moves

The Telangana government’s plan to relocate 39 offices from rented premises to government-owned buildings has hit a roadblock after criticism over shifting some offices to T-Hub. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy cancelled the relocation orders, leaving uncertainty over the exercise.

Hyderabad: The exercise to relocate a few government offices operating from rented buildings to government owned buildings is hanging in the balance and is likely to be delayed, following widespread criticism from various sections over the State government’s flawed plan to shift some offices to T-Hub.

The government had issued orders directing all departments to relocate 39 offices from rented premises to government owned buildings by January 31. Accordingly, the Commercial Taxes department office at Begumpet and the Sub Registrar Offices of Balanagar, Serilingampally and Gandipet were allocated about 65,000 square feet at T Hub.

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However, people from different sections questioned the rationale behind relocating government offices to T Hub, which is the world’s second largest startup innovation hub and India’s largest startup incubation hub.

Objections were raised over the State government’s decision, with many stating that accommodating government offices at T Hub would defeat the very purpose of establishing the innovation hub. Some also viewed the move as an attempt to erase the previous government’s imprints in the State.

Following the criticism, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao to cancel the orders relating to the relocation of government offices to T Hub.

Uncertainty now looms over the relocation of these offices. The Roads and Buildings department, which was entrusted with coordinating the exercise, stated that no alternative space was available to accommodate these offices.

“The list of all government owned buildings and available space was shared with the government. After the Chief Minister’s instructions, we have to scout for new buildings, but there is no sufficient space,” a senior official said.

As a result, uncertainty prevails over the continuation of these offices at their existing locations. Building owners have already been informed that the premises would be vacated, but the relocation exercise has been delayed. There is no clarity on relocation as of now, another official said.

Similarly, of the 39 offices proposed to be relocated to newly identified buildings, a few have not shifted due to various reasons. The government has not sanctioned allowances for shifting offices, while existing building owners are demanding clearance of pending rents, another official said.

Relocation of KUDA office to Kaloji Kalakshetram

Meanwhile, the State government is reportedly planning to shift the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA) office to Kaloji Kalakshetram.

Kaloji Kalakshetram was constructed by the BRS government and was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on November 19, 2024. KUDA had supervised the construction works.

The 1,300-seat capacity auditorium and art gallery were constructed in honour and memory of legendary poet Kaloji Narayana Rao.

However, plans are being made to relocate the KUDA office from its existing premises near the RDO office in Hanamkonda to Kaloji Kalakshetram at the Hayagriva Chary Grounds. Objections are being raised by several sections over the proposal.

The Kalakshetram was built to organise literary and cultural programmes, but accommodating the KUDA office there would defeat its very purpose, a Kakatiya University student observed.

Kaloji Foundation president Nagilla Ramasastry criticised the State government’s plan to relocate the KUDA office to Kaloji Kalakshetram, stating that it would undermine the objective of establishing the auditorium and art gallery.

“The KUDA office is being operated from its own building. I fail to understand the rationale behind the move to shift it to Kaloji Kalakshetram,” he said. The Foundation has been appealing to the government to construct additional facilities, including conference rooms, a foundation office and a 200-seat capacity hall, but there has been no response, he added.