india

Updated: Sep 05, 2016 14:27 IST

Rohtak MLA and newly inducted minister of state for urban local bodies Manish Grover on Sunday vacated the Rangshala building in the city, which was encroached by him to set up his private office, only to move into another municipal corporation (MC) building, right next to the Rangshala.

On Sunday, the labourers were seen shifting Grover’s office furniture out of the Rangshala building into a house which belongs to the municipal corporation. A team was deployed at the house that was working to set up his office. When contacted, they confirmed that the house was going to be used by the minister for his private office. Sources close to Grover, too, admitted that the minister had finalised the MC house for his office and it was being set up for him.

Hindustan Times had last week published a report on Grover’s occupying a portion of Rangshala building meant for artistes to set up his private office. The city-based artistes and activists were upset over the encroachment of space meant for promotion of cultural activities by the minister.

Following the report, Congress MLAs created a ruckus in the state assembly session and demanded a reply from the minister. However, he had hit back, saying that the Congress MLAs had a history of carrying out encroachments and that’s what they had done for 10 years.

However, all the hoopla seems to have had no impact on Grover. The house that has been made Grover’s office was allotted to the executive officer (EO) of municipal corporation, VP Sangwan. He was asked to move out of the house a few days ago so that the minister could set up his office. “Three months are left for my retirement. Why are you asking me such questions?” said Sangwan, when contacted.

Rohtak mayor Renu Dabla and MC joint commissioner Ajay Chopra confirmed that the said house belonged to the municipal corporation. However, both of them denied having any information that the minister had occupied it. Despite HT’s repeated attempts, Grover was not accessible. His personal assistant (PA) Vikram picked up the phone thrice and said the minister was busy and could not talk.

Rohtak deputy commissioner Atul Kumar, who had earlier said that the minister had occupied the Rangshala building because there was an infrastructure crunch in the city, did not respond to HT’s calls and texts.