The government’s plan to transfer the employees working in the Hyderabad Secretariat to a temporary location in Amaravati by June 27th has hit a major obstacle. The obstacle comes in the form of construction taking place very slowly in the new capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The construction of a temporary Secretariat which was supposed to be straightforward has turned into a very difficult and complicated problem for the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). The deadline for the construction of the temporary structure was announced as June 15th. But right now, none of the 5 planned blocks are ready for occupation.
Only 2 blocks (undertaken by Shapoorji Pallonji Group) are being constructed at a normal pace according to various sources within CRDA. The remaining 3 blocks (undertaken by L&T) are progressing at an unusually slow pace.
Some of the basic works like flooring, electrical wiring, false ceiling, water supply lines, etc. have not been completed in any of the 5 temporary blocks. The external surroundings have not fared better either. Construction of internal roads and side drainage systems are progressing at far too slowly as well.
The main reason for the slow pace of construction has been attributed to the scarcity or shortage of workers. This shortage is in turn being fuelled by the contractors. The contractors are reportedly offering very low wages forcing the workers to look for alternative sources of employment.
Workers in the surrounding areas are usually paid Rs 650 per day. But the contractors for the temporary Secretariat are offering only around Rs 350-450 per day. Workers also claim that the payment of these relatively low wages takes place on a weekly basis rather than on shorter time period.
The workers have also pointed out that the unrelenting summer heat and unaffordable working conditions have also contributed towards their exit. The contractors have responded to this situation by withholding 3 months of wages. They hope that such a measure would act as incentive for the workers to report for work on a regular basis.
P. Narayana, CRDA Vice-Chairman and Minister of Municipal Administration, proceeded to take a few safety measures to combat the shortage of workers by hiring masons and skilled workers from parts as far as Guntur, Vizag, Eluru, etc.
