The Raj Bhavan's new Rs 7 crore, 1000 seat capacity durbar hall which shall be used for official functions and swearing in ceremonies is ready for inauguration by the vice president. The 1665 sqmt facility has a 395 sqmt dining hall and other ancillary service areas. This begs the question, why is there a need for a new building when the existing governor's house had these facilities already. The previous governor had rightly rejected the proposal of a new residence calling it illogical and imprudent but it seems the present incumbent of the gubernatorial post goes along with whatever the Centre dictates. The proposed new Raj Bhawan will be built at a cost in excess of Rs 150 crore using taxpayer's money when the state economy is in the ICU. The saffron dispensation is the new British Raj, busy building glorious palaces for themselves and lording it over us.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
