CAG raps MEA over miserable management of global estate

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has cost crores of rupees to the exchequer due to its faulty management of global estates, says a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

One such example: The MEA bought a building in Paris to set up an India Culture Centre though the structure did not have two exits and enough space for the assembly of at least 100 people, minimum requirements set by the French government for any such facility. 

The building was still bought at Rs 30.03 crore in March 2011 and has since remained unused, but the government is spending Rs 1.34 crore every year to secure it.

In another instance, the Consulate General of India in Shanghai acquired a plot of land in Shanghai in January 2007 to build residential units for its officials.

 But no construction work started till November 2013. The officials continued to live in leased accommodations in Shanghai and the government of India had to incur a substantial expenditure to pay rents. 

The total rental outgo for residences leased for the CGI Shanghai officials between April 2011 and March 2012 stood at Rs 2.47 crore.

The Comptroller and Auditor General report exposes that this mismanagement is not limited to Paris and Shanghai. The MEA lacks efficiency in managing real estate around the world.