Aiyar too needs his space

It seems Mani Shanker Aiyar has finally run out of patience. The Panchayati Raj Minister has been without a proper office ever since he was discharged of his sports portfolio. Half of his Panchayati Raj ministry, which is famously dear to his heart, functions out of a makeshift office in Samrat Hotel while the rest is scattered across different government buildings. Aiyar himself operates from his residence and sometimes from the office of the Department of North Eastern Region in Vigyan Bhawan annexe. Last week, when the Cabinet was discussing a proposal to set up a South Asian University in Delhi, Aiyar, who couldn8217;t hide his disappointment any longer, complained in the presence of the Prime Minister that while the Urban Development Ministry was able to find 100 acres for the university, it had expressed its helplessness in getting him an office space. Taken aback by this surprise intervention, UD Minister Jaipal Reddy was heard mumbling something about a few ministers occupying more than one office.