Hyderabad: Secretariat restrictions on the second floor have drawn complaints from staff, media personnel and visitors seeking access. The floor houses the office of Deputy CM and Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka.
According to the source, security personnel have imposed strict access controls at the elevators. Visitors are reportedly asked whom they want to meet and are told to call the concerned person before proceeding.
The source said police personnel have also restricted some visitors from entering without ministerial approval. It alleged that even Bhatti’s doctor was stopped, while visitors were reportedly asked to deposit their phones if the minister called them inside.
Meanwhile, contractors seeking payment of pending bills and retired employees seeking retirement benefits have reportedly faced similar restrictions. Some visitors said they received tokens but still saw no progress on their pending bills.
The complaints have also extended to Secretariat staff and media personnel. According to the source, repeated visits to different offices have failed to resolve some grievances.
Secretariat restrictions continue as complaints reach Bhatti chamber
The source reported that groups of retired employees, contractors, sweepers and others recently moved towards Bhatti’s chamber. Some groups reportedly staged protests while seeking attention to their respective grievances.
Security measures at government offices can regulate access and protect officials and staff. However, the source raised questions about whether grievance channels remain accessible to people seeking official intervention.
According to the source, pending arrears have continued to build while the number of people seeking payments has increased. Protests have reportedly moved beyond the Secretariat gates and reached ministerial chambers.
The source also raised questions over unpaid arrears, salaries and retirement benefits. It said stronger security may prevent protests around offices, but does not address the underlying payment-related grievances.
Separately, the source reported that four employees associated with Bhatti Vikramarka’s office died suddenly. They were identified as PA Seshagiri, personal assistant Takkalpalli Srinivas, Madhusudhan, who was transferred as CPRO, and department employee K Krishnamohan Raju.
The source said the four deaths were attributed to heart attacks. It also raised questions about work pressure, duties, working hours and expectations of constant availability for employees in the minister’s office.