Hyderabad: Senior IAS officer S.A.M. Rizvi, Principal Secretary (Revenue – Commercial Taxes and Excise), has opted for voluntary retirement (VRS) from service, reportedly following disputes with Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao.
A 1999-batch IAS officer, Rizvi has served in various key positions in the Telangana government and was appointed as Principal Secretary in the Revenue Department about a year ago. His sudden decision to seek VRS has surprised bureaucratic circles, especially since he still has nearly a decade of service remaining.
Minister’s Complaint to Chief Secretary
According to official sources, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao had earlier lodged multiple complaints with Chief Secretary K. Rama Krishna Rao against Rizvi, alleging disobedience, insubordination, and violation of service rules.
In his most recent complaint dated October 11, the minister reportedly urged the Chief Secretary not to accept Rizvi’s VRS request and instead initiate disciplinary action for alleged misconduct.
Documents accessed by The Times of India reveal that the minister had previously submitted a detailed letter in December 2024, outlining grievances against Rizvi over delays and administrative non-compliance in key excise department matters.
Key Allegations Against the IAS Officer
In his correspondence, Jupally Krishna Rao listed 11 specific issues of alleged non-cooperation, including:
- Failure to clear files related to holographic label tenders, despite repeated instructions.
- Ignoring ministerial directions to entrust certain matters to the expert committee.
- Inaction on grievances raised by the Bars Association and A4 Liquor Shops Association.
- Sending crucial files directly to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) instead of routing them through the minister.
- Refusal to comply with orders related to Letters of Intent (LOI) under the Telangana Distillery (Manufacture of Spirits) Rules.
The minister also cited instances of non-compliance in specific cases, including BKR Hotels, Chitty Srujan, Capricorn Blenders Pvt Ltd, Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD) Ltd, Blueseal Winery, and Empsee Distillery, alleging deliberate delays and procedural obstruction.
Minister Alleges Obstruction of Duties
In his complaint, Jupally Krishna Rao stated that Rizvi’s actions had “obstructed the minister from discharging his duties effectively.”
He further accused the senior IAS officer of creating administrative bottlenecks by withholding approvals and delaying departmental decisions, affecting policy execution in the excise department.
Rizvi Yet to Respond
When contacted by TOI, S.A.M. Rizvi did not respond to the allegations made by the minister or to calls seeking comment.
Sources within the Secretariat said the officer’s VRS application is currently under consideration by the Chief Secretary, who is expected to take a decision after reviewing the minister’s representations.
Bureaucratic Circles React
Rizvi’s move has sparked widespread discussion among bureaucrats in Telangana, with several officers describing it as a “surprising” and “unusual” development.
A senior official noted that disputes between ministers and senior bureaucrats are typically resolved through administrative intervention, making an abrupt VRS decision rare.
