Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to function from Vijayawada, the state's capital region, for three-four days a week, amid clear signs that shifting of government machinery to the new state would gather momentum.

Since the bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh last year, Naidu has been functioning from Hyderabad, which would remain as the common capital of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for 10 years but thereafter become part and parcel of Telangana, as per the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act.

He has now, however, decided to function from Vijayawada for three-four days in a week so as to be closer to the people. The state government also recently initiated the process of shifting offices to its permanent capital. Four days (a week) he will be here (Vijayawada) definitely.

Most of the departments will slowly start functioning from here (Vijayawada region). It does not mean that we are leaving Hyderabad. Hyderabad remains joint capital. Our Secretariat functions there (Hyderabad) and CM will also come there (Hyderabad), Parakala Prabhakar, Advisor (Communications) to Andhra Pradesh government.

Most of the Cabinet meetings henceforth would also be held in the capital area, he said. Shifting is a gradual process, but the Chief Minister's move has sent a strong message that the seat of power is within the state rather than a remote place (Hyderabad), he said.

The shifting mostly relates to the employees of state Secretariat and other offices of AP government in Hyderabad, but the state government will have to find suitable office and residential infrastructure in the capital region.

Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao has recently initiated a dialogue with the employees unions' on the exercise of shifting. The Chief Secretary would also spend substantial time in Vijayawada henceforth and he issued a Government Order (GO) last night establishing a full-fledged Camp Office of Chief Secretary at Vijayawada.

PTI