Most employees of Gujarat government are burning the midnight oil since the time of assembly elections. In departments like education, industries or youth, sports and cultural activities, employees have been preparing for Vibrant Gujarat Summit (VGS). It will continue until January 14.
Nearly three lakh employees were involved in election duty. They worked directly under the Election Commission of India since October, until assembly polls concluded on December 20. There was no respite for them thereafter, as most of the departments were already planning for VGS during the last six months.
“We were already planning many events for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2013 for long; it was just put on the slow pace in between for three months, as the model code of conduct was in effect. Soon after the elections were over, the preparations for the summit were put on priority,” said an employee working in the education department.
Another official, who had completed his election duty, said, “I have been given the job to coordinate the logistics for the foreign delegates. Each delegate has been provided one government officer to escort him or her to Mahatma Mandir and other venues related to VGS. We are talking to hotels and transportation agencies to arrange their stay and commute to Gandhinagar."
"Apart from that, we have to look after their schedule from their arrival at the airport to their departure from the event. We would also be needed to take them to various tourist places,” he added.
Most of the officers involved in liaison work with foreign visitors may not be able to celebrate Uttarayan with their family members. As the event will conclude on Sunday following B2B and B2G meetings, officers will have to take the foreign delegates to kite flying festivals at Ahmedabad also.
“Although the second and fourth Saturday of the month are holidays, the off on this Saturday has been cancelled. Instead, the government has declared a holiday on January 15. So, most of us will be free only on January 14 afternoon or evening,” an official added.
