Shifting of offices from Secretariat: Some depts still scouting for locations

Hyderabad: While a majority of departments in Secretariat have finalised their newest address and location to function for the next two years in wake of government's decision to demolish the existing buildings and build a brand new one in its place, a few other departments are still scouting for ideal locations.

Information Technology and Communications (IT & C) department has shortlisted Parishram Bhavan in Basheer Bagh on Monday.

IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan told The Hans India that they have decided to function from Parishram Bhavan after shifting from the present office in D Block.

The Tourism department is likely to shift to the Haritha Plaza complex in Begumpet although the final decision has been awaited.

Free office space in Genco building of Vidyut Soudha is under consideration for accommodating the staff of SC Development.

While 25-odd departments communicated their new locations on Saturday after an e-mail sent by Finance Department, Panchayat Raj, Transport, R & B, Tribal Welfare, Women and Child Development, GAD, Chief Electoral Office etc. sought a few days' time on this issue.

The first ones to move out the present Secretariat complex would be the staff from Energy department, Environment and Forests, Public Enterprise (given 2 days' time to shift), BC Welfare (3 days) and Animal Husbandry (4 days).

The message was conveyed to them on Saturday evening and with Sunday being a holiday the staff from these departments were engrossed in placing all things including storing of files, documents etc.

However, a senior official from one of these departments said they were yet to get any written instructions from the General Administration Department.

Although the new location has been finalised, the senior staff from these departments were yet to step into their new address and see for themselves whether everything was in order there for a smooth transition. Some of them said they would visit the new office on Monday or Tuesday to check the preparedness.

Even as various departments were getting ready for shifting to new locations, there was talk in some sections including employees whether the government was also considering other options like shifting the entire Secretariat departments to one complex (like Gaganvihar building or BRKR Bhavan) for administrative and public convenience.