The Telangana state government is grappling with a fresh administrative challenge following a recent directive from the Central government that relocates four IAS officers from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh and three from Andhra Pradesh to Telangana. This move, mandated by the Pratyush Sinha committee guidelines established after the bifurcation of the states in 2014, has created a ripple effect in key administrative posts.
On Tuesday, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) declined to stay the Centre’s order, scheduling the next hearing for November 5. In the meantime, the affected officers plan to approach the high court in hopes of securing an interim stay before they are required to join their respective state cadres on Wednesday.
The transition poses significant challenges for critical positions within the state, particularly those that necessitate continuous oversight. Among the officers affected, Amrapali Kata serves as the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) commissioner, and Ronald Rose holds the secretary position in the energy department while also overseeing Telangana Transco and Genco. The other two officers, Vani Prasad and Vakati Karuna, have been working in the environment and forest, and women and child welfare departments, respectively.
Sources indicate that if the high court does not issue a favorable order, Kata and Rose may be reassigned on a deputation basis. This process would require them to first report to Andhra Pradesh before both state governments could approve their interstate deputation with the Centre’s consent.
In light of this impending shift, the Telangana government is considering candidates for the vacant positions of GHMC commissioner and energy secretary. Potential replacements for GHMC commissioner include Sarfaraz Ahmad, the current metropolitan commissioner of HMDA, irrigation secretary Rahul Bojja, Manika Raj from the Chief Minister’s office, and Yogita Rana, who is presently on central deputation. Ahmad’s current role within the municipal administration department and Raj’s experience as Hyderabad collector a decade ago could prove advantageous in these positions.
While former GHMC commissioner DS Lokesh Kumar is also a candidate for consideration, his current responsibilities as secretary of the panchayat raj department and the approaching rural local bodies elections may prevent his reassignment.
If Bojja is not chosen for the GHMC role, he may be appointed as energy secretary, with Patil Prashant Jeevan, a special secretary in the irrigation department, likely stepping into Bojja’s current role. Principal secretary (revenue) Navin Mittal was also under consideration for the GHMC commissioner position, though his association with the municipal administration department, now led by his batchmate Dana Kishore, complicates his potential placement.
With the Rabi season on the horizon, the energy department’s leadership will be crucial for daily monitoring, making a timely decision imperative. A minor reshuffle within the state administration is anticipated if the affected officers are unable to remain in their current roles in Telangana.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the high court’s upcoming decision, which could significantly impact the state’s administrative landscape.
