The Centre would use its discretionary powers to allow the RSS to hold a three-day lecture series at Vigyan Bhawan, a venue generally reserved for government ministries, PSUs and autonomous bodies.The RSS, which is holding its lecture series ‘Future of Bharat: An RSS perspective’ from September 17 to 19, applied for booking Hall number 6, which has a capacity of 350-400 persons. Vigyan Bhawan is allotted for holding departmental, national or international conferences/seminars by the government of India, state governments, PSUs and autonomous bodies in that order of priority. The allotment guidelines clearly say private bodies and NGOs would be allowed only for the days “President, the Vice-President or the Prime Minister attend the function”.Speaking to ET about the RSS application, estates director Nandita Gupta said: “Vigyan Bhawan, in general, is meant for use by government ministries and autonomous bodies. Giving permission to a private party is rare. For this purpose the matter is referred to the minister, who has discretionary powers in this matter.” The housing and urban affairs minister has discretionary powers to waive off the licence fee, an official term used to describe daily rent paid for the venue. However, the RSS has paid in full the licence fee of Rs 86,100 per day (Rs 2,58,300 for the three-day event) and has not asked for a waiver.There is utmost secrecy within the ministry over the function. Gupta even refused to share booking rates, an information which should be in public domain under Section 4 of Right to Information Act. When contacted, minister Hardeep Singh Puri said he was not aware of the issue.According to sources, the booking is awaiting formal clearance from the minister as the RSS has not confirmed its guest list. A senior official told ET: “The application process needs a confirmation from the dignitary’s office. This is awaited. Also, there is a requirement of security clearances. These need to be sought as the organisation is expecting participation of some of the highest offices.”The RSS application is pending as it needs clearances from DCP security (PM security) and DCP traffic. The event is taking place at a time when the venue is hosting several events, including PM’s birthday celebrations hosted by a private entity, National Rabi Conference, Pension Adalat and Anubhav award ceremony. There is utmost secrecy within the ministry over the function. Gupta even refused to share booking rates, an information which should be in public domain under Section 4 of Right to Information Act. When contacted, minister Hardeep Singh Puri said he was not aware of the issue. According to sources, the booking is awaiting formal clearance from the minister as the RSS has not confirmed its guest list. A senior official told ET: “The application process needs a confirmation from the dignitary’s office. This is awaited. Also, there is a requirement of security clearances. These need to be sought as the organisation is expecting participation of some of the highest offices.” The RSS application is pending as it needs clearances from DCP security (PM security) and DCP traffic. The event is taking place at a time when the venue is hosting several events, including PM’s birthday celebrations hosted by a private entity, National Rabi Conference, Pension Adalat and Anubhav award ceremony.