Mantralaya building in Mumbai.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Amid rising incidents of protests and suicide attempts inside the Mantralaya, the Maharashtra government has come up with strict rules and regulations vis-a-vis entry to the state secretariat in Mumbai.
The government will issue colour-coded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) passes and entry will be allowed in pre-booked time slots and designated areas.
The decision was taken by the Eknath Shinde-led BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government after Tuesday’s incident of a person jumping onto the safety net.
It may be recalled, that on August 29, several farmers and project-affected people from Wardha jumped onto the heavy safety nets installed in the foyer of the Mantralaya.
On average, around 3,500 visitors enter Mantralaya for various purposes and on the day of the Cabinet meeting - of which all the ministers are present - the number goes up to over 5,000.
Because of the hustle-bustle, at times, daily administration work gets affected.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police heading the Mantralaya security has been asked to submit a report within a month detailing the number of visitors allowed per day.
A modern plaza for visitors will be constructed near the Mantralaya's Garden Gate which will have a pass counter, waiting room, bag lockers and scanners, among others.