People flood civil secretariat as new government sets in

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 5

A festive look is back at the civil secretariat after newly appointed ministers assumed their offices and people poured in to meet and congratulate them.

Officials of various departments and the common man waited outside the chambers of ministers so that they could get the chance to introduce themselves to their new bosses.

Ministers entertained everybody and gave a patient hearing to their demands. There was hardly any restriction on entry into the chambers and people had easy access.

“After government installation and ministers taking charge, we are hopeful that our issues will be addressed,” said Abid Hussain of Bhaderwah, waiting outside the Transport Minister’s chamber.

“It is for the first time this winter that I am seeing a huge rush at the civil secretariat. The corridors at the civil secretariat were wearing a deserted look, but things changed now,” he said.

Confusion marred the first day as ministers did not have essential items in their chambers and some of them had to send subordinates to the canteen to bring drinking water.

PWD Minister Altaf Bukhari asked his office staff to buy whatever was required in the office and he would pay from his pocket.

People faced difficulties in identifying chambers and they had to seek help from security officials to reach their destinations.