The government is spending billions of rupees on providing luxurious facilities for government officials, despite the fact that the country is facing a severe financial crisis. The Punjab government is going to spend Rs 1.11 billion on renovating the mess hall of GOR-1, a residential colony of bureaucrats on Tollinton Road in Lahore, said Ali Ramey, a journalist associated with 24 News, in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
On his X account, the journalist said that under the project, the guest room will be constructed and renovated, the existing gymnasium will be renovated, and spa and sauna rooms will be built.
A new gymnasium and yoga hall will be constructed for women officers; a new floor will be constructed by expanding the squash court; a new jogging track will be constructed; and a cafe room will be constructed.
The work on the project was started in April 2023, and the cost of the project was estimated at Rs40 million. But after several revisions, many other facilities were added to the project, and now the cost of Rs 1.11 billion has been fixed.
After a fresh review of the project, the works department has sought Rs 480 million from the government. Sources said that the curtains and lights of officers' rooms will be changed, and new ceilings with fancy lights will be constructed.
It is pertinent to mention here that the amount of debt owed by the Punjab government till the end of June 2024 is Rs 1685 billion. In such a situation, the question arises as to why the provincial government is spending more than Rs 1 billion on providing luxurious facilities to government officers.