The administrative offices of the Andhra Pradesh government are finally ready to begin official work at the temporary secretariat complex at Velagapudi from Monday, meeting the deadline set for October 3.
According to reports, most departments have already ensured the online transfer of documents and have digitally archived thousands of files.
The Times of India reported:
According to sources, only skeletal staff in each department would be present in the Hyderabad secretariat. They would deal with matters related to court cases. All line departments have been officially apprised about the staff shifting, in order to make all the necessary arrangements.
The report adds that the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is planning to operate additional services between Velagapudi, Vijayawada and Guntur, while the power authorities have been asked to ensure uninterrupted electricity to the temporary secretariat.
The Hindu reported that while the secretariat began functioning on Monday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu would be formally entering his chambers only on the occasion of Vijaya Dasami, on October 11.
The report states that barring minor works, all the six blocks of the temporary secretariat complex were ready for occupation by hundreds of employees who have already shifted to Vijayawada and Guntur.
Director General of Police N Sambasiva Rao also told the media that foolproof security arrangements had been made for the high profile visitors who would soon start visiting the complex.
Three platoons of the Andhra Pradesh Special Protection Force (APSPF) will be deployed besides police officers to ensure tight security, he said.
Concerns
Many employees were initially reluctant to shift to Andhra as they were leaving behind their families and friends in Hyderabad. Many people are also leaving behind children, who are studying in schools in the currently common capital.
A report in The New Indian Express adds:
All-India Services (AIS) officers are looking for accommodation in and around Vijayawada and Guntur. So now the state government has to find digs for about 250 officers... The government has already taken 275 flats and 26 villas on lease at Rain Tree Park at Mangalagiri in Guntur district for senior officers. But sources say most officers are still stuck up on finding 'decent' accommodation in the capital region and have decided not to move their families.
The report adds that many are also irked as their families are also looking for accommodation as they would not be able to continue staying in the government quarters in Hyderabad, once the shift is complete.
Many had also stated that this would be the second time that they would be shifting after the bifurcation of the state.
"It's barely two years since the erstwhile secretariat buildings were divided between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It took us over two months to relocate and settle within the same premises. Now, the government has ordered us to move about 300 km away," an officer, had earlier told the Telegraph India.
Reports also suggest that there is no space provided for the media in the complex, as was the case with the secretariat in Hyderabad.
However, Naidu has expressed confidence in the move and stated that the state's administration would function much better once all the employees were settled in
"We will be switching over to real time governance and online filing system aiming at qualitative work," Naidu told the media last week.