Hyderabad: The Secretariat has been literally divided between the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh much to disappointment of the employees of both the states who say that the bifurcation process is yet to be completed and that even the files and furniture are still being distributed.
The police has put up barricades separating the Telangana and AP Secretariats and BSF personnel are manning these barricades. Vehicles coming to AP and Telangana Secretariats are being told to enter from the respective gates. Even the employees are facing severe inconveniences as only one entry-cum-exit point has been given for movement of employees between the two Secretariats, that too at the L Block which is located in the corner of the Secretariat.
AP Secretariat Seemandhra employees forum chairman Murali Krishna said, “We are not against barricading. Let them construct a compound itself. But before doing so, employees’ associations of both the Secretariats should have been consulted. When we left last evening, there were no barricades.”
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Telangana employees’ leader and TRS MLA, V. Srinivas Goud, also opposed the decision. “There is no need to put up barricades now. The barricades are being guarded by BSF jawans as if it is the Indo-Pak border. This will only inconvenience the staff and visitors.”
The Seemandhra employees went to meet AP Chief Secretary I.Y.R. Krishna Rao, to lodge a complaint but they could not meet him due to his busy schedule. “We will submit a representation to him on Monday,” Mr Murali Krishna said.
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Meanwhile, women employees are opposing the barricade stating that it is inconveniencing them. “Unlike men, we cannot cross the barricades from the gap between the fence and railing. The food and snacks canteen, post office, bank and other utilities are all on the AP Secretariat side.” said some women employees.
Some Seemandhra ministers took up the barricade issue with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. And, reportedly he expressed his anguish. Sources said, Mr Naidu regretted that it would spoil the working atmosphere in the Secretariat.
