Chennai: With state ministers and MLAs staying away from secretariat due to model code of conduct, the state headquarters is now a deserted place. Several officers and department secretaries have also planned their summer and weekend vacations with file works getting reduced by more than 50 per cent.
According to an informed official, work load for government departments has slashed by about 40 per cent as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has notified that no review or meetings should be conducted on welfare schemes and no files should be created for new projects. The file work in departments like energy, agriculture, public works, environment, tourism and industries has reduced by more than 70 per cent, However, departments like finance and health are working as usual, sources said.
“We are able to leave secretariat after office timings, otherwise it will take at least one to two hours for the section officers to leave. And a few secretaries have already planned their vacations during March – April,” said an under secretary adding that several files sent to the Election department seeking nod is yet to be returned.
The CEO has issued a notification to all department secretaries instructing them not to review or kickstart any new scheme, said an official at the Election department. The CEO had also instructed the department not to entertain files related to schemes and development activities.
When contacted, CEO Rajesh Lakhoni said, “ I am aware of pending files and the Election Commission’s standing instruction is to forward only those files that are essential for public or in case of emergency. Other than this, all regular files will be put on hold for next two months”, Lakhoni said.
