The storm in Punjab Congress hasn’t abated yet, and the guessing game on the way the winds from 10, Janpath, will blow is still on. However, that hasn’t deterred Chief Minister Amarinder Singh from announcing the heralding of a new work culture.It was even kick-started in real time, and the language had a ring of finality to it — ‘‘All Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries will attend to their work in the Secretariat three days a week’’ — and the CM might just check on them. At least he did so today. He went around checking the third-floor offices of Finance Minister Lal Singh, Local Bodies and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jagjit Singh and Education Minister Khushal Behl, who were present. Good for them because there was a TV crew with the CM.However, Amarinder, did not check dissident leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal’s office. For a man who has faced accusations of inaccessibility, this was a dramatic change. ‘‘If someone has any resentment about my style of functioning, I am open to change,’’ he said.Directive to ministers to attend work followed in writing too. Sample the details: They have to attend work not just in the Secretariat, but ‘‘in their offices in the Secretariat’’. The three days’ choice is not left to lawmakers, these will be Tuesday to Thursday. The objective is also mentioned — ‘‘To tone up and ensure accountability’’.These ministers would also accompany the CM to Punjab Congress Bhawan every Thursday afternoon to meet party workers.Such determination comes on a day when even the CM had to begin his press meet by saying: ‘‘I hope you all remember me’’. Sources said the strategy would also act as moral pressure upon dissidents to return, as absence from work will only become more conspicuous.Among those who attended office today were Chowdhry Santokh Singh, Partap Bajwa, Avtar Henry and Darbari Lal. Amarinder himself spent considerable time at the Secretariat, and also met all the four Municipal Corporation mayors and councillors.
