New guidelines to beef up security cover at Secretariat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new set of guidelines has been introduced in the state secretariat campus as part of enhancing security measures of the first office of the government.
According to guidelines issued by the general administration department, entry to the north block of the secretariat where the office of senior ministers, including chief minister functions, will be restricted on cabinet meeting days.Only those who produce letters regarding the meeting will be given entry to the north block on such days.
According to the circular issued by the general administration department secretary K R Jyothilal, ID cards of officials who visit the state secretariat for inspections (CBI officials, food security officials, etc.) should be verified first at the gate and entry to them should be allowed only subject to the knowledge/permission from the general administration secretary.
Reckless parking of vehicles will not be allowed inside the secretariat complex. Once the parking lots are fully occupied, ‘no parking’ boards should be exhibited and entry of other vehicles would be blocked. The department vehicles can then drop officials at the complex and then find parking outside the secretariat compound.
Vehicles parked violating the fire lines would be slapped a fine of Rs 500. Fine of such magnitude would be levied also on vehicles that sound horn or over speed. Such penal actions would be applicable on secretariat officials and department vehicles as well. If any vehicle without gate pass is found to be parked inside the secretariat complex, a fine of Rs 1,000 would be levied on both the security officer in charge and the driver of that vehicle. Such vehicles would be removed using recovery van.
The vehicles that are found to be parked illegally in the complex would be slapped a `you are fined’ sticker and legal course of action would be initiated against those who refuse to pay the fine amount.