Cracking the whip on the VIP culture within the Government coupled with austerity measures, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued orders directing all his Ministers, legislators, and officials to use government guest houses or circuit houses for stay during their field visits instead of expensive and luxurious hotels.

Mann has made it clear that the government guest houses, including Circuit Houses, had been built for the stay of Ministers and officers. The orders came after the Chief Minister observed that Ministers, MLAs, and officials prefer to stay in luxurious private hotels, thereby putting an additional burden on the government exchequer.  “Now onwards, any Minister, MLA, and officials on field visit would stay in circuit or government guest houses only,” read the orders.

Govt Collecting Record of Punjab Govt’s Circuit and Guest Houses Across Country

At the same time, on behalf of the Chief Minister's Office, the records of Circuit Houses and government guest houses, under the Punjab Government, are also being collected across the country as the State Government has its guest houses in other states also. Besides, orders have also been issued to repair the circuit houses and guest houses.

Govt Planning to Open Guest House for Common People

It has been learnt that under the new policy, the Punjab Government is planning to open the circuit and government guest houses for the general public too. If the new policy is implemented, the general public would also be able to book rooms in circuit and guest houses. According to the information received from the Department, there are seven circuit houses and hundreds of rest houses in Punjab.