Secretariat shifting process kick-starts; R&B moves to Errum Manzil

Hyderabad: The Secretariat shifting process which witnessed a slowdown for over a fortnight gained momentum with some departments moving out of the existing premises at last. Chief Secretary S K Joshi chaired two meetings in the last two days and took stock of the situation. He has directed officials to set the process into motion quickly and accordingly few wings are on the way out.

The first department to make way is Roads and Buildings, which moved to ENC (Engineer-in-Chief) office in Errum Manzil. Principal Secretary (R & B) Sunil Sharma shifted his office already and his sub-ordinates and section staff will be occupying their places in a day or two. R & B Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy will also be working from Errum Manzil office at the earliest.

According to sources, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has given instructions to complete the shifting process at the earliest. It is learnt that the government adopted a wait-n-watch attitude for the last two weeks due to related legal cases. However, after the Court's fresh observations asking petitioners what was wrong if the State wishes to construct a new Secretariat as done by various other States, the government decided to expedite the issue.

Meanwhile, repair and construction works are in full swing at BRKR Bhavan. Majority offices are set to move to this multi-storied building, but the shifting process is yet to kick-start as officials wanted few changes. Apart from the present Lifts (five), works are on two construct two more Lifts, to be used by bureaucrats and top officials.

Also, this complex lacks high-speed internet and intranet connectivity on all floors and works are on in this regard. Also, there are not enough plug points for connecting to several desktop computers and electrical teams are on that job. Authorities felt washrooms in the BRKR Bhavan needed to be given a face-lift and related works are already on for the last few days.

Not to forget the painting touch to be given to the building to give a new look feeling. R & B department estimated Rs 6 crore for all these works and has asked the government to release it. Already Rs 1.5 crore was released, according to officials. Meanwhile, the key IT department is understood to have proposed the Smart Track Technology to ensure quick and seamless delivery of various government services besides going for new and upgraded servers.

It is learnt the estimate by the department was Rs 17 crore. Setting up of IT network for all wings would take at least 15 days at BRKR Bhavan and the department has suggested to alternatively carry the job from the existing space in the meanwhile.