Monday Mirchi : It’s not yet done & dusted for Sri Lakshmi

Although the clean chit that senior IAS officer Yerra Srilakshmi got recently from the Telangana High Court in the sensational Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) case has triggered speculations putting her also among those in the race for AP Chief Secretary post, those privy to what next’ on the case front say it is not yet done and dusted for the lady IAS officer. The CBI is likely to contend the High Court’s judgment and the agency is going to leave no stone unturned to buttress its arguments in the apex court. Some officers are volunteering with relevant information for ensuring that the affidavits are filed properly. Given this concerted more for an appeal, the chances of Srilakshmi becoming Chief Secretary are bleak. For the time being all eyes are on the moves of the CBI, which does not want the officer to sit back and relax.

MISSING STEPHEN RAVEENDRA
The Telangana government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe aspects relating to the case involving alleged attempt to poach four TRS MLAS. Stephen Raveendra, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police, who was on the spot and later became the front face of police briefings in the case, was conspicuously missing in the list. This has raised eyebrows over whether the TRS top bosses are unhappy over how the sensational incident has played out subsequently or the CP has not agreed to play to the tunes of powers that be Just 15 months into becoming CP of Cyberabad, Stephen Raveendra was beset with controversies relating to alleged attempt to murder Minister Srinivas Goud. Now the poaching row has complicated matters for him A little bird told us that even the probe into the high profile attempt to murder case could not fetch enough sympathy for the party or the Minister.

PRICKLY BUREAUCRATS
IN EDUCATION DEPT The TS Education Department has been at the receiving end over the past couple of months. Amid the onslaught by opposition parties over the manner in which the Education Minister has been responding to burning issues, a little bird told us that the entire wing is bristling with intractable issues Exasperated bureaucrats, while airing the official line on DAV Public School issue or the Nizam College hostel issue, could not help irking not just common people, but also sections of the media and politicians. While those known to be media-friendly riled people, others considered media-savvy were caught in the crossfire. On top of this, some of the bureaucrats had to visit the Governor Over the Ordinance. Once bitten, twice shy; the bureaucrats say facing brickbats is part of their job.

BUREAUCRATS WANT GOVT TO CHANGE
The Telangana Rashtra Samiti is confident that it will win the next TS Assembly elections for the third consecutive time, though Telangana per se has never given a third chance to any politician. Political circles are now discussing how some bureaucrats are hoping for a regime change. Going by the whispers in the corridors of power, some circles are definitely looking at possible alternatives as it is typical of them to want 2 change of regime. A little bird told us that the Government may like long-standing officers, but bureaucrats do not like long-standing governments. This has led to a discussion on whether there is a possibility for a hat trick by the ruling party in the first place. The Munugode outcome may have watered down the hopes of bureaucrats hoping for regime change. But then those who have been disgruntled for long hope that at least the pressure would mount on the ruling party.

DON’T CALL ME EVEN ON WHATSAPP
Leaders of opposition parties are having a tough time reaching some of the bureaucrats, let alone am admi or media persons. Recently when some of the opposition leaders tried to reach out to a top official, the officer requested that they should not call or message directly, When WhatsApp call was offered as an option, the officer did not seem to trust it either. FaceTime appeared to be the only option left. A little bird told us that a cop not trusting WhatsApp has made everyone rethink their go-to mode of communication.