Kerala House
| Kerala House | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Construction started | 1903 |
| Completed | 1911 |
| Cost | 25 Million Rupees |
| Owner |
Before: Kingdom of Cochin Cochin Maharaja Now: Government of Kerala |
| Management | Hon. Resident Commissioner of Kerala to Government of India |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 1000 m2 |
| Lifts/elevators | 5 |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 66 |
| Website | |
| http://www.gokdelhi.kerala.gov.in/ | |
Kerala House is the official state house of Government of Kerala at New Delhi. As each state of India has to maintain a statutory representative and state mission house in the capital, to liaison with Central Government on behalf of state, Kerala House represents Kerala. The house belongs to Kerala Government, who is represented by Hon. Resident Commissioner of Kerala state administration. The house is located in heart of New Delhi city at Jantar Mandir Road. The current Resident commissioner is Shri. Gyanesh Kumar IAS, a senior IAS official.[1]
History
The original main structure is the Cochin House, which was the residence of the Maharaja of Cochin whenever he visited the capital city for sessions of the Chamber of Princes. After Independence, when Kochi joined with India Union, the house became state property of Kerala Government and choose to make it as Kerala House, as permanent mission of the state to Central Government. Another structure which is administered by Kerala House is Travancore House, the former residence of the Maharaja of Travancore.
Administration
The Kerala House belongs to Kerala State Public Works Department, ]. The house is administrated by Controller of Kerala House, who reports to Hon. Resident Commissioner[2]
The controller is assisted by Chief Administrative Officer and various section officers and assistants. The House has 3 major Divisions functioning
- The Office of Protocol Department, which has Chief Protocol Officer who oversees all protocols procedures accorded to state ministers and other officials while they visit New Delhi
- The Office of Liaison Department has 3 departments,
Liaison Wing is headed by the Liaison Officer and is assisted by seven Assistant Liaison Officers. This office is responsible for follow up and co-ordination of various matters/projects/schemes of Government of Kerala with Government of India including release of funds etc. This wing also looks after appointments of State Ministers and Officials with various Union Ministers and Officers.
M.Ps Cell
An M.Ps Cell is functioning in Kerala House to cater the official needs of M.Ps from Kerala. This Cell is also headed by Liaison Officer and is assisted by Assistant Liaison Officers.
Law Wing
A Law Wing headed by the Law Officer and assisted by an Assistant is functioning in Kerala House to effectively take up legal matters of Govt.of Kerala with the High Court, Supreme Court and other courts in Delhi.
PWD Wing
PWD Wing; headed by Assistant Executive Engineer and assisted by Assistant Engineer and Overseers is functioning in Kerala House for maintenance and repair works of Kerala House.[3]
- The Office of Information and Public Relations
Information Office headed by the Deputy Director and assisted by Information Officer is functioning in Kerala House for co-ordination works with Media and to look after the PR activities of the State Government, including the conduct of various cultural programmes. This office organizes press conferences and other media coverage activities for Chief Minister, State Ministers and other Government Programmes. Information office is also the co-ordinating agency for the state in major events like India International Trade Fair, Republic Day Parade etc.
Tourism Information Office
A Tourism Information Office headed by the Deputy Director and assisted by a Tourist Information Officer is functioning in Travancore Palace located at K.G Marg to cater the needs of tourists visiting Kerala.
Norka Cell
A Norka Cell headed by the Additional Secretary and assisted by a Joint Secretary/Deputy Secretary and a NRK Development Officer is functioning in Travancore Palace, K.G.Marg to pursue and follow up issues relating to Non Resident Keralites with the various ministries of Government of India. NORKA wing facilitate attestation of certificates sent from various attestation centres of Kerala in various embassies. And also address the needs of Non-Resident Malayalees to the extend possible.
Malayala Bhasha Padana Kendram(Malayalam Learning Centre)
This is an ambitious project initiated jointly by various Malayali Associations in Delhi and Government of Kerala. The project envisages to impart Malayalam Literacy & Cultural heritage amongst the new generation of Malayalee community in Delhi and adjacent area. Central office of padana Kendra is established at Travancore Palace.
Cauvery Cell
Cauvery Cell of the Water Resources Department is functioning at the Travancore Palace basically to follow up the Cauvery Water Dispute with the Cauvery Tribunal. Nowadays the cell is more engaged with the Mullaperiyar Dam issue
KSEB Liaison Office This office liaises with concerned Central Ministries and offices on behalf of Kerala State Electricity Board.
Travancore House Art Gallery
Travancore House, located at K.G Marg was the erstwhile Palace of Travancore Kingdom in the heart of the Capital city. The building has been categorized as a heritage building by NDMC. The effort of the state government is to transform this heritage building into a cultural complex and to be a window to Kerala for the out side world. As part of this perspective, an Art Gallery has been set up in the Travancore House.
Resident Commissioner
The Resident Commissioner is the head of all State Government Offices functioning in New Delhi. The Office of the Resident Commissioner, Kerala House, New Delhi was set up in 1964. There is an Additional Resident Commissioner in the rank of Secretary to Government of Kerala to assist the Resident Commissioner.
Structure
The guest house in Kerala House consists of two Blocks. The Main Block having 33 rooms, including the three VIP Suits and Additional Block having 30 rooms. A 12 bed Dormitory at the old block (Cochin Palace) and a 48 bed Dormitory at Travancore House complex at Madhav Rao Scindia Marg are also attached to the Guest House.
The Guest House of Kerala House is basically meant for the stay of important personalities like Governor, Ministers, Judges, Elected Representatives and Government officials who are bound to Delhi for official purposes. If available, rooms are also allotted for their non-official visits and also to private individuals with proper references.
Guest House Canteen
The GH Canteen serves traditional Kerala cuisines to all its residents. The canteen also serves other cuisines and prepare as per order, apart from buffet.
Other facilities
The Guest House offers 24-hour house-keeping and room service facility, a medical clinic with resident doctor, a state-of-the-art Conference room & media room, a Business center, Steward and laundry services, in addition to a Tourist reception center and Travel desk.
References
- ↑ http://www.kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2738.html&Itemid=246
- ↑ http://www.gokdelhi.kerala.gov.in/index.php/component/templates/system/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=53
- ↑ http://www.gokdelhi.kerala.gov.in/index.php/component/templates/system/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&Itemid=83