SHILLONG: The Power House of Meghalaya, the Secretariat building, is falling prey to time.
The over six-decade-old structure is now a glaring example of neglect. If the exposed wirings on the walls and the broken chairs for visitors are not enough to put one off, then there are innumerable rats that have found shelter in the building and are often found loitering on the corridors of power.
The carpets which once adorned the wooden floors are worn out due to the leaking roof and have been removed in some wings of the building.
The sophistication of the power house is also lost. Four tyres were seen lying outside the chief minister’s Secretariat, which is a new structure, on the second floor on Tuesday evening.
Hygiene in and around the building is another issue. With no toilets for drivers and personal guards in the building or even in the area, they have to relieve themselves outside the building.
The noisy crowd that often accompanies ministers makes the place congested and looks incongruous to the stature of the building.
There are murmurs among the government ranks that there should be an alternative place for the Secretariat.
Speaking on the matter, Minister in charge of Secretariat Administration Department Deborah Marak said there is a need for an alternative site for the Secretariat.
“This is my personal view that we need a new site since this building is very old and it is located right in the middle of the town with no parking space, and in fact, we are not being able to provide rooms to the parliamentary secretaries and even ministers,” she said.
Admitting that there are different problems in the Secretariat as far as its management is concerned, the minister said there is shortage of space in the Secretariat and the government has been trying to address the space problem.
Marak added that the Yojana building in the Secretariat has been extended and an alternative floor is under construction. “The department is trying its best to address all the issues plaguing the Secretariat.”
On being asked about the presence of rats, Marak said it is unfortunate and assured that she will ask her officers to take necessary measures.
She also said the carpet was removed last year as “some rooms were leaking during the rains and it spoiled the carpets”.