Congress is using Raisina Hills for dumping unsuccessful finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee: P.A. Sangma

Presidential candidate P.A. Sangma alleged that Congress is using Raisina Hills for dumping unsuccessful finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee by nominating and supporting him in the presidential poll.

What is Raisina Hill ?

• Raisina Hill is a region of Lutyens’ Delhi, New Delhi, that houses India’s most important government buildings, that includes Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India and the Secretariat building that accommodate the Prime Minister’s Office and several other important ministries. Other important buildings and structures, including the Parliament of India, Rajpath, Vijay Chowk and India Gate surround it.
• The name "Raisina Hill" was given following acquirement of land from 300 families from X and Malcha villages. About 4,000 acres of land was acquisitioned under the "1894 Land Acquisition Act" to begin the creation of the Viceroy’s House. The area is slightly raised, about 226 metres (741 ft) high, or about 18 metres (59 ft) higher than the surrounding area.
• In 1911 when British decided to transfer the capital of British India from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi, they set up a planning committee, and a site 3 miles (5 km) south of the existing city of Delhi, around Raisina Hill, was identified for establishing new administrative centre. The area located b/w the Delhi Ridge and the Yamuna River, is well drained and provides sufficient space for expansion.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2012