A day after fire, Mantralaya staffers kept out
June 22nd, 2012 - 2:02 pm ICT by IANSMumbai, June 22 (IANS) A day after a major fire gutted the state secretariat here, hundreds of employees who reported to work Friday were not allowed inside the premises owing to safety concerns even as ministers and some officials have started work from alternative offices.
“Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had said Thursday evening that the Mantralaya would continue working Friday. While most of us reported to work on time, the security officials did not allow us in, citing safety concerns,” an employee said.
State ministers and some top officials started work either from their homes or their offices in the Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat, Vidhan Bhavan, and the new administrative building barely a stone’s throw away from the Mantralaya.
However, hundreds of government employees who gathered at the Mantralaya gate, were still in the dark about about alternative arrangements made for them.
“We should have at least been informed about this. We are also trying to find out if we can resume work Monday,” a woman staffer said.
Thousands of people from across the state visit Mantralaya daily to get their work done.
A major fire broke out in Room no. 411 on the fourth floor of the secretariat Thursday afternoon. It quickly engulfed the three top floors of the building located in the heart of Mumbai’s central business district.
The blaze has claimed at least three lives so far.
- Chavan takes stock of Mantralaya fire - Jun 22, 2012
- Mantralaya fire toll rises to five (Second Lead) - Jun 22, 2012
- Mantralaya resumes work after four days - Jun 25, 2012
- Mantralaya fire continues second day - Jun 22, 2012
- Chavan reviews situation after Mantralaya blaze - Jun 21, 2012
- Mantralaya to be functional in three months, says Bhujbal (Lead) - Jun 23, 2012
- Mantralaya blaze: Chavan says fire controlled, orders probe (Lead) - Jun 21, 2012
- Two killed, 16 injured in Mantralaya fire (Intro Night Lead) (With images) - Jun 22, 2012
- Mantralaya fire: toll climbs to three (Lead) - Jun 22, 2012
- 16 injured in Mantralaya fire, blaze under control (Night Lead) (With images) - Jun 21, 2012
- Massive fire at Maharashtra Mantralaya - Jun 21, 2012
- Dozens trapped in burning Mantralaya, navy called (Lead) - Jun 21, 2012
- Pune mall catches fire, 15 rescued - Jun 21, 2012
- Chavan, Bhujbal inspect fire-ravaged Mantralaya - Jun 23, 2012
- Two dead in Mantralaya fire - Jun 22, 2012
Tags: 411, alternative arrangements, blaze, central business district, chavan, chief minister, government employees, maharashtra legislature, mumbai, premises, prithviraj, s central, safety concerns, secretariat, security officials, staffer, staffers, state ministers, state secretariat, thursday afternoon