Pariborton has certainly come to the Writers’ Buildings. During the Left Front rule, the state secretariat used to remain deserted on Saturdays but with Ms Mamata Banerjee taking charge as the new chief minister, a flurry of activities was witnessed there.
The work culture of “Do It Now” that her predecessor Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had once dreamt became a reality thanks to Ms Banerjee. Nearly all 37 ministers, who took the oath of office on Friday, arrived at the Writers’ before 11 am on Saturday. Ms Banerjee who worked till well past midnight also arrived just before 12 pm.
The sudden change in work-culture was also reflected from the on-duty police officers to the bureacrats and staff of various departments. “We have never seen so much activity on a Saturday before. Earlier, this day was meant for either complete rest at home or making a short family trip. Now it means taking our state ahead through work,” said Subhashis Kundu, a state government employee.
Echoing his sentiments, his colleague said that if someone came to the Writers’ Buildings on a Saturday to complete some urgent pending work, he would have to give an explanation to the CPI(M)-backed coordination committee leaders. “With the fall of the Marxists, there is no one to ask any question,” he added.
On Saturday, the employees of the secretariat matched the enthusiasm of the ministers. Every minister held his first meeting with the secretary of his or her department. They all seemed inspired by Ms Banerjee’s zeal to change the face of the state administration. Disaster management, fire and emergency services and civil defence minister Javed Ahmed Khan said, “We will work the way Didi will direct us.”
Marvelling at Ms Banerjee’s untiring stamina, municipal affairs and urban developement minister Firhad Hakim said: “Even if we can work half as hard as our chief minister, the work culture is bound to improve.” Asked about his priorities, state tourism minister Rachpal Singh said, “I will turn Digha into Goa, North Bengal into Switzerland and Kolkata into London.”