Delhi CM says it is time to have a new integrated secretariat; dilapidated offices to be thing of past

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday expressed deep displeasure over the dilapidated condition of the Department of Women and Child Development at Kashmere Gate, stating that witnessing the present state of the building left her extremely distressed.

Gupta observed the condition of the government office while launching the Garbage Free Delhi drive and emphasised that the time had come to construct a new, well-organised, and integrated secretariat for all departments of the national capital.

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Taking a sharp dig at the previous government, CM said, “Those who called themselves an ‘educated government’ were busy building lavish offices for themselves but failed to provide even basic facilities essential for the working of officials. The ones who spent Rs 70 crore on their own office couldn’t spend even a few crores on these departments,” she added.

Looking at the office’s condition, the CM remarked, “It is shocking to think how officials entrusted with ensuring good governance in Delhi can work effectively in such deplorable circumstances. The ceilings are leaking, the furniture is broken, there are no proper chairs to sit on, cupboards are damaged, and the fans are in such poor condition that they could fall at any moment.”

She also expressed concern that the building, which suffered a fire in 2021, has still not been fully repaired to date. “Are we forcing our officials to work while putting their lives at risk?” she questioned.

Gupta declared that the time had come for Delhi to have a new, organised, and integrated secretariat for all departments.

She announced that the government will take steps in the direction beginning today, and a suitable location will be identified where the new Delhi Secretariat can be established, enabling all departments to function under one roof.

The CM asserted that officials cannot be left to work in such miserable conditions any longer.