Unpardonable negligence towards amenities in Administrative Cell in Vidhan Bhavan of Maharashtra

• An inadequate number of cupboards is the cause of heaps of papers lying outside rooms, balconies, staircases, etc

• Mr Pritam Nachankar, special correspondent

Photo 1 : Heaps of papers kept in a room of the committee. Similarly, such papers have been kept in some other rooms also

Photo 2 : Piles of papers kept in a place outside the elevator on one floor (Such piles are found even on other floors outside the elevators )

Photo 3 : A corner of a staircase used for stocking papers, broken cupboard (On staircases on other floors too, similar broken cupboards are found along with the papers/ trash )

Photo 4 : Old papers kept in bags in the balcony outside a room

Photo 5 : Furniture randomly kept outside the balcony of both the Houses of the Legislative Assembly

Photo 6 : Sound recording and sound system operation cell looks like a godown

Photo 7:  Heaps of books and other material in disarray outside one room on a floor (Similar heaps of papers found in disarray even on some of the other floors)

Photo 8 : Reports erratically thrown on the floor

Photo 9 : Piles of papers lying outside a room on one of the floors

Mumbai, 16th July – On one hand, the State Government is encouraging Administration by giving them a goal of 100 days to increase their output; while the State Legislature and Administration are neglecting the necessary amenities required in  Vidhan Bhavan, which has control over the working of the administrative departments. Some of the Cells of various committees of Vidhan Bhavan are filled with papers, and the place is found to be inadequate; therefore, the papers are piled even in vacant spaces in front of the elevators, staircases, etc. In some of the departments, there are not enough cupboards to store the papers. In some departments, the cloth on the chairs used by the employees is torn. In some departments, there are not enough tables, while in some departments, there are problems related to the electric lights. The construction department is informed by the concerned departments, as it looks after the maintenance, but it is not providing the required items despite conveying the needs of the concerned departments. The State Administration should pay attention to keeping things in an orderly manner and provide necessary amenities.

Renovation work has been going on for the last few months at Vidhan Bhavan, which has been a reason, to some extent, for keeping things in a disorderly manner in the building. Renovation of some of the departments has, however, been completed, but many things have been lying in a mess for many years. There is a need to improve the situation.

Heaps of papers everywhere!

Some rooms on a few floors are filled with papers. In the absence of adequate cupboards, papers are piled up on tables. Tables are also full of papers, and in some departments, papers are piled up on the floors. As the rooms are filled with papers, papers are kept in balconies outside the departments, stacked on wooden racks. The racks kept outside are also full; therefore, papers are piled up on the floors of the balconies. On some floors, papers are kept in heaps outside the elevators. The corners of the staircases are also not spared, as there are papers stored in big bags. Papers stocked everywhere are covered with dust. All papers are going to be scanned in future; however, the State Administration should pay attention to the requirements of copies per report, or what is to be done with additional copies, how to make arrangements for cupboards to stock the papers in the respective departments, etc.

Administrative Cells should be well-maintained

All furniture and wooden things in the office/ cabin of the Chief Minister, offices of political parties, cabins of ministers on the first and second floor and officers of political parties on the third, fourth and fifth floors are in good condition. There are cabins of different political parties’ spokespersons and cabins of chiefs of various legislative committees on the 18th to 20th floors, which are well maintained. There are good chairs and tables in those cabins. It is necessary to have things in good condition, as it is the place of elected representatives and the main building of the administration, but there is a need to pay attention to keeping all the administrative cells of the State Legislature in good condition.

Editorial Perspective

The State Legislature is the main centre of the State’s administrative work. It is a structure which is the honour of the State. The management of this building should be so good that all other Government offices will keep it before them as an ideal. Photos are published in the newspaper to show the gravity of the situation in Vidhan Bhavan and not to insult the State Legislature. In fact, not maintaining the status of a renowned structure like Vidhan Bhavan would be an insult to the State Legislature.