Shifting of AP Secretariat almost over

A new phase in Andhra Pradesh history will begin from October 3with a full-fledged Secretariat functioning from Velagapudi, about 30 km from Vijayawada.

With the complete shifting of key departments, including finance, Andhra Pradesh administration from the joint capital of Telangana and AP, Hyderabad, will be a thing of past from next week.

Almost everything has been moved from state secretariat premises here, including files and it will be a new beginning for administration, President of the AP Secretariat Employees of Association Murali Krishna told BusinessLine here on Wednesday.

“There are 33 departments, including Assembly, in the AP government. Out of this, all departments with offices in secretariat have been moved,’’ he said.

There are 2,000 regular Secretariat employees who will be working out of Vijayawada besides over 500 housekeeping staff. Special measures have been taken to ensure safety and comfort of 200 women employees who will have to work from Velagapudi leaving their families in Hyderabad.

The final shifting of the departments, files and furniture began on September 19 and has to be completed by this month end.

New secretariat complex has six administrative blocks. Out of these, one is for the Chief Minister, another for the Legislative building and remaining for the Secretariat departments and utilities.

As of now, two blocks earmarked for the Secretariat are ready. Two of the blocks meant for the Secretariat departments are ready to occupy at Velagapudi, sources said and departments have been asked to plan the shifting process. As employees are entitled to joining and transit time, they could avail it so as to be in Velagapudi to report for duty from October 3.

The government has already arranged shared accommodation in the Rain Tree complex, a luxury apartment cluster, close to their work place.

Offices of many departments which were located here such as education, health and agriculture, have already been shifted to Vijayawada. In all, there are about 18,000 government employees.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and other Ministers have been operating out of Vijayawada since long.

Shifting of the Secretariat means a big shift for business community as most of the infrastructure and other prominent business entities in Andhra Pradesh are still headquartered in Hyderabad.

“While we may have to travel frequently to Vijayawada, relocation of the Secretariat is better in a way as it has become tough to catch up with the heads of departments now who are shuttling between Hyderabad and Vijayawada which is shattering administration,’’ said the CEO of a leading corporate house.

It remains to be seen if the shifting of the Secretariat will ensure ease of doing business or bring in more challenges for the businessmen as well as the government.

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