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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday lashed out at the Congress-led UPA Government over reports that the Planning Commission has spent Rs 35 lakh on renovating two toilets in its office, saying there is an ocean of difference between what the Centre preaches and practices. Senior BJP leader Balbir Punj also criticized the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee for repeatedly reiterating that the Indian economy is passing through a very difficult time, while on the other hand the Planning Commission of India is indulging in all these extra spending. "Well this is an example of difference between what you preach and what you practice. And it is very ironical that this development has come to the notice of people at large, thanks to an RTI. The Finance Minister and the honourable Prime Minister has reiterated, repeatedly said, we are passing through a very difficult time, we need to pull up our socks and we need to observe austerity in government expenditures," said Punj. "And at that point of time, of all the organizations, it is the Planning Commission of India, who is responsible for monitoring the expenses by other ministries is indulging in all these. This largely reflects the basic character of UPA-II. There is an ocean of difference between what they preach and what they practice," he added. The Planning Commission has, however, issued a statement in its endeavor to explain why it spent Rs. 35 lakhs on renovating two toilets in its office. "It is unfortunate that what is routine maintenance and upgradation is being projected as wasteful expenditure... The impression is being created that this has been spent on two toilets. That is totally false because these can be used by 10 people simultaneously," said the press release issued by the Planning Commission. The Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, refused to comment on the controversy earlier this morning. The expenditure was revealed by a Right to Information application filed by activist Subhash Agrawal.

Rs 35 lakh Planning Commission toilets angers BJP