Durbar Hall to host swearing-ins again

It’s still unclear who all will be the new members of the Union cabinet. But what is certain is that the upcoming swearing-in ceremony of the new UPA ministers will go back to its original venue—the grand Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

It’s still unclear who all will be the new members of the Union cabinet. But what is certain is that the upcoming swearing-in ceremony of the new UPA ministers will go back to its original venue—the grand Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

HT Image

The circular Durbar Hall hosted the swearing-in ceremony of the new government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru on August 15, 1947. The following year, India’s first governor general Chakravarti Rajagopalachari also took an oath in Durbar Hall.

According to sources, swearing-in of ministers were held at the venue till the 1970s. Later, it shifted to Ashoka Hall—perhaps to accommodate more guests.

But now, Durbar Hall has been renovated and ready to host the upcoming swearing-in ceremony. “We have already started using the Hall for state functions like conferring of Padma Awards. The swearing-in ceremony of minister can also take place here. Although we don’t know when that event will happen,” President’s press secretary Venu Rajanomy told Hindustan Times.

While Ashoka Hall can accommodate 300 people, Durbar Hall’s current sitting arrangement can provide space for around 250 people.

Top Congress sources told HT that a cabinet reshuffle is expected before the monsoon session of parliament.

Work is also on full swing to make the guest wing of the RB fully functional before the winter, to host top foreign dignitaries in the RB.