Workers renovate a minister’s chamber at the secretariat in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, May 27: Ministerial corridors in the state secretariat are now buzzing with activities after a lull of more than two months.

Most of the ministers are yet to attend their offices and the ministerial corridors on the second and first floors of the secretariat are, therefore, not crowded by their supporters and other visitors.

Refurbishing of the ministerial chambers has now begun in a big way. Knocking sounds of chisels and hammers digging the floor and removing the tiles and marbles are heard in the corridors.

Besides, the employees of the ministerial establishments and casual labourers are busy in shifting furniture and files. The refurbishing work has not only disturbed the silence of the secretariat, but also evoked criticism from the Opposition parties and secretariat employees.

Especially, the chambers allotted to finance minister Pradip Kumar Amat, food supplies and consumer welfare minister Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, housing and urban development minister Puspendra Singh Deo, higher education minister Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi and energy minister Pranab Prakash Das are up for a massive makeover.

However, textile and handloom minister Snehangini Chhuria has opted for only wall painting. She has been allotted the chamber lying vacant since Raghunath Mohanty’s resignation.

“Refurbishing of the ministerial chambers in such a big way was not necessary, as it was undertaken only two years ago following the last cabinet rejig,” said an official working in a ministerial establishment, requesting unanimity.

“This is sheer misuse of tax payer’s money. Naveen just pays lip service for the poor,” said senior Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.

“They are more interested for renovation of their office chambers rather than development of the state,” said BJP spokesman Suresh Pujari.

Eight ministers, who were re-inducted in the new dispensation, have retained their old chambers and started attending their office since last week. Only ST/SC development minister Lal Bihari Himirika has shifted his office to the room that was earlier occupied by Kalpataru Das, who has been sent to Rajya Sabha recently.

On Friday, Arun Sahoo performed a hawan at his chamber before assuming office. Other ministers such as Bijayshree Routray, Badri Narayan Patra, Debi Prasad Mishra, Bikram Keshari Arukha and Usha Devi have started attending office without any ritual.

The new entrants were, however, waiting for the allotment of chambers, which was notified on Saturday. After the chamber allotment, change of floorings, furniture and wooden wall covers have started on in full swing from yesterday.