Two governments to function from Secretariat

Beginning June 2 the sprawling Secretariat complex of united Andhra Pradesh will host two new State governments, that of the new government of Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh.

Though there was speculation that successor Andhra Pradesh will be allotted the MCHRD complex, it is certain now that the two Telugu Chief Ministers and their secretariats will function from the existing Secretariat complex which is big enough to house the political executives and bureaucrats of the two governments when the two States become a reality from the appointed day.

The nine spacious blocks -- A, B, C, D, J, K, L and the recently renovated H – north and south blocks would be divided between the two States keeping the contiguity and security aspects in focus but the two secretariats will have separate entrance gates, it is learnt.

Special attention would be paid to ‘vaasthu,’ infrastructure, spatial contiguity and security aspects and care will be taken to ensure that there is no criss-crossing between the two Secretariats to give privacy and independent access, sources said.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, who is the final authority to distribute the government buildings for various purposes in the common capital of Hyderabad between the two successor States, held a meeting here on Thursday with the committee on government buildings in Hyderabad as part of the bifurcation process.

Governor seeks report

The Governor sought a report from the committee within a week listing various alternatives and locations for the Secretariat, Assembly and Council buildings, offices of Directorates, accommodation for Ministers and legislators and guesthouses for allocation between the two States.

The Ministers’ and MLAs’ quarters (both old and new complexes) would be distributed between the two States in the ratio of 58:42.

While the existing C block would serve one Chief Minister and his peshi and secretaries, a suitable block for housing another Chief Minister’s block would be identified by April-end to provide the necessary paraphernalia and facilities.