Bhubaneswar, May 11: Work is on in full-swing to refurbish rooms at the state secretariat for the new ministers who were sworn in on Tuesday.

The ministers would have to wait for another three to four days before they can move into their new offices.

According to official information, textile and handloom minister Usha Devi would occupy the room where Pramila Mallick used to sit on the first floor.

“The room proved to be unlucky for Mallick. However, Usha Devi, who is considered as one of the prudent women in the BJD, will bring good luck to the new department. Her image will also help the government to chalk out a handloom policy for the weavers who are struggling hard to earn a livelihood,” said a BJD leader.

Additional director, estate, Purushottam Sahu said: “All the rooms will be ready within three to four days. Work is going on in full swing to refurbish the rooms. All the ministers will be handed their rooms in three to four days.”

New panchayati raj minister Maheswar Mohanty will now occupy the room of Damodor Rout on the second floor. Pradeep Maharathi will sit in the room of Bijay Ranjan Singh Bariha. Niranjan Pujari, the new minister from western Orissa, would sit in the room when Praveen Bhanja Deo used to sit.

Lal Bihari Himirika, the minister from Rayagada, will occupy a room on the first floor which was earlier used as a storeroom. All the rooms will get a new coat of paint but the furniture will not be changed.

On the first day, a few ministers, including Niranjan Pujari and Pradeep Maharathi, turned up at the state secretariat to meet parliamentary affairs minister Raghunath Mohanty.

As a senior, Mohanty advised the new ministers to ensure transparency and carry forward the good work of the government. An exercise has been started to select staff for the new ministers. “Though we will send our preference lists for the post of the private secretary, in most cases, it will be decided by the chief minister’s office. We will only have to follow the guidelines,” said a new minister.