Resistance surfaces as ministries shift to new Kartavya Bhawan on Central Vista

SEVERAL central government ministries and departments have begun relocating to the newly built Kartavya Bhawan, the Common Central Secretariat, with orders to complete the move during the ongoing Navratra period. But the transition has sparked unease among senior officials and drawn formal objections from the Central Secretariat Service (CSS).

According to officials, top offices in the North Block—including the Ministry of Finance, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)—are packing up to shift by September 29. Some senior officers, particularly those nearing retirement, are said to be reluctant to move.

The CSS Forum, representing over 10,000 officers who form the administrative backbone of the government, has lodged complaints with Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P.K. Mishra and the Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary. In its representation, the forum warned that the space allocated in Kartavya Bhawan falls short of mandated norms, undermining both efficiency and confidentiality.

This is the second time the CSS Forum has lodged a complaint about office space allotment. It had earlier written a similar letter on 05.03.2925. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has already shifted but is reportedly exploring another relocation to the Executive Enclave within the Central Vista project.

CSS officers argue that the new seating arrangements violate the Ministry of Urban Development’s 2017 guidelines, which prescribe office space based on rank: 240 sq. ft. for Deputy Secretaries and Directors (Level 12–13), 120 sq. ft. for Under Secretaries (Level 11), 60 sq. ft. for Section Officers (Levels 8–10), and 40 sq. ft. for Assistant Section Officers (Level 7). Instead, multiple sections have been crowded into large halls, with low-height partitions and shared storage.

Officials handling sensitive files—including Under Secretaries responsible for court cases, vigilance matters, and classified communications—have been placed in open workspaces where conversations can be easily overheard, raising concerns of confidentiality breaches. In contrast, similarly ranked officers from other services and agencies continue to receive closed cabins.

The CSS Forum has urged the government to strictly enforce space entitlements, warning that the current setup not only compromises secrecy and efficiency but also demoralizes staff who serve as the core of the Secretariat’s functioning.