RAJAHMNUNDRY:Hordes of VIPs and heads of various government departments, descending on Rajahmundry and Kovvur to take the holy dip during the ongoing Godavari Maha Pushkarams, are posing a new challenge for the district-level officials who are already burdened with Pushkaram duty.
For those who are unable to meet the demands of their bosses, pat comes the remark, “When you cannot do such a simple task for your boss, how can we trust you to run the
In the modest city of Rajahmundry, spread over just 5 km radius, it has become a tough task for the officials to arrange for accommodation, food and passes for visiting the VIP Ghat. Over 75,000 personnel from different government departments including the district administration, the police and the municipal corporation have been deployed for the Maha Pushkarams in East Godavari district. Unable to provide accommodation for many of these employees, the government asked them to make their own arrangements and promised to compensate for the expenses. As all the hotels and lodges in Rajahmundry are full to their capacity, the employees on special duty are depending on their local colleagues.
Under these circumstances, a galaxy of VIPs including ministers, IAS and IPS officers, political and bureaucratic bosses are arriving in the city along with their families and friends. As their bosses are coming, the employees are forced to do a double shift to attend to them and discharge the pushkaram duty as well.
Common pilgrims, after having their holy dip, are rushing back immediately. But, the VIPs and other officials are troubling the local staff. Some of the officials are asking their subordinates to prepare food at the latter’s homes for their families and friends saying that the food available outside is unhygienic. The officials are sharing the ‘unofficial’ duty with their staff members.