No government office to operate from privately leased building from Jan 1: Telangana issues orders

Hyderabad: From January 1, 2026, no government office in Telangana will be permitted to operate from a privately leased building.

The state government has instructed all departments, corporations, societies, and universities to relocate to government-owned premises by December 31, 2025, as part of a major cost-cutting and administrative rationalization move.

The orders were issued through a circular by the Finance (WP) Department and have been designated as “Top Priority” by Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao.

Mandatory shift to government premises

The circular clearly states that all government offices currently functioning from private buildings must relocate immediately. So, no department, corporation, society, or university is allowed to operate from leased premises under any circumstances.

Vacant government buildings to be utilised

Highlighting the availability of surplus office space following the bifurcation of the state, the government directed all Special Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Special Secretaries, and Heads of Departments (HoDs) to identify suitable government buildings and complete the shifting process before the deadline.

January 1 deadline non-negotiable

The government has fixed January 1, 2026, as the absolute cut-off date, after which any government office functioning from a private building will be treated as a violation of orders.

Rent payments to stop from February

To ensure strict enforcement, the Director of Treasuries, the Director of Works Accounts, and the Pay and Accounts Officer have been instructed not to release any rental payments for private buildings from February 1, 2026.

The ban applies to rent paid from government budgets, grants-in-aid, departmental funds, or Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).

Personal accountability for violations

The circular places responsibility squarely on the administrative heads concerned, warning that any continuation of rental payments or delay in shifting will attract personal accountability.

‘Top Priority’ implementation

Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao has directed all departments to treat the matter as a top priority, underlining the government’s commitment to reducing avoidable expenditure and ensuring optimal utilisation of public infrastructure across Telangana.