Hyderabad, November 02: Work took a back seat at Secretariat as the state celebrated the AP Formation Day on Monday.
Uneasy calm prevailed as the premises was fortified with heavy security anticipating trouble from pro-Telangana activists and students.
The seat of governance that is usually abuzz with movement of ministers, officials and a lot of visitors who come on various works, presented a contrasting picture on Monday with not many visitors and the staff showing little interest in work.
With the security personnel being extra cautious about allowing general public without valid reasons to enter the premises, particularly in the wake of the recent experiences with the DSC candidates and OUJAC students who tried to storm the secretariat recently, the visitors’ count had dropped from 5,000 a day to far below 1,000 on Monday.
“I had to plead with the security personnel and show all valid documents to gain entry. I went to a department but found no senior official there. The staff cited various reasons for their absence. I have to come once again to get my work done,” said V Anand Kumar from Jangaon in Warangal district.
The ministers were away in districts to participate in the AP Formation Day celebrations. Ministers from the city D Nagender and M Mukhesh Goud also stayed away from Secretariat.
The same was the case with many officials who were either taking part in celebrations in the districts or busy with prior commitments.
This gave the subordinate staff an opportunity to relax and spend time chatting with their colleagues.
With the Deepavali festive mood also setting in, the canteen became the busiest spot with most of the employees preferring to spend their time there in animated discussions rather than in their seats.
A few employees from Telangana sported black ribbons marking their protest against the Formation Day celebrations.
–Agencies