Housing Ministry Spends Rs 2.3 Cr Monthly on Consultants

03 Dec 2024 CW Team

Consultants and private domain experts have become indispensable for many government departments, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is no exception. The ministry spends around Rs 2.3 crore every month to compensate 112 consultants engaged in various high-priority initiatives. According to the ministry's submission to the Rajya Sabha, some consultants earn between Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Among the most heavily staffed projects is the PM SVANidhi scheme, which offers subsidised loans to street vendors who were affected by the Covid-19 lockdown. Initially introduced to support these vendors, the scheme has now been expanded to include social security and welfare benefits for its beneficiaries.

In response to a query by TMC lawmaker Saket Gokhale, the housing ministry revealed that 18 consultants work on the Smart City Mission, while 16 are engaged with the PM Awas Yojna (Urban) project. A former secretary in the central government, speaking with TOI, noted that while consultants bring fresh ideas and aid in managing complex programs, there has been an over-reliance on large consultancy firms in recent years. He raised concerns that government officers now depend on these firms for even basic tasks, like preparing presentations for cabinet proposals, a trend that undermines institutional knowledge. This issue was discussed during a meeting of all secretaries chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where officials expressed worries about whether top bureaucrats, with their experience, should still rely on consultants for support.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..