Friday, a working day, turned out to be an undeclared holiday for the staff of the government and private offices in areas around the Assembly, thanks to the overzealousness of the police to tackle Chalo Hyderabad.
Normal work in the Secretariat and in all these offices came to a halt, with the attendance being just 2-3 per cent. Some offices wore deserted look as not a single employee could be present.
A senior official said the employees could not reach the Secretariat due to barricades of concertina wire raised at several points across the roads, lanes and bylanes leading to the premises. Police did not allow the employees to cross the barricades even though they produced valid ID cards. Employees in the Chief Minister’s Office were no exception.
The official said he did not yet receive any order from the Government permitting special casual leave for Secretariat staff as reported by electronic media.
Attendance in BRK Bhavan, which houses several government offices, was less than 10 per cent. These offices did not function as even heads of departments did not turn up.
The scene on Ameerpet and Khairatabad road was similar. Even on persuasion after with police officers after presenting ID cards, could not ensure passage to hundreds of employees working in Vidyuth Soudha, Jalasoudha, Civil Supplies Bhavan, Roads & Building offices, the city special civil courts near Hyderabad stock exchange buildings and Hyderabad Metro Water Supply & Sewerage Board.
