Venkaiah Naidu makes surprise visit to Nirman Bhawan

NEW DELHI: Union Housing and Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today made an unannounced visit to the ministry here and expressed "displeasure" over the late arrival of officials and poor maintenance of the place.

Naidu reached Nirman Bhawan, the headquarters of the ministry, at 9:00 am and walked into rooms of several officers and their supporting staff, an official statement said.

He also inspected corridors of the premises and urban affairs related departments besides inspecting canteens and toilets, it said.

"He noticed that rooms of several officers and reporting staff were empty as they were still to reach office. He also took note of electrical and other wires dangling along corridors and unused and waste materials dumped in the open.

"He found the floors being cleaned as he went around for about half an hour. The minister was not happy with the upkeep of canteens," it said.

An "unhappy" Naidu later called Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna and other senior officials and conveyed his "displeasure" over late arrival of officials and poor maintenance of the working place, the statement said.

"Naidu emphasised that a presentable and efficient working environment are the need of the hour and necessary action should be taken to remedy the deficiencies that have come to his notice at the earliest," the statement said.