For all the talk about Indira Mahila Shakti, there’s not a single woman bureaucrat in the Chief Minister’s Office. Not one. This is the first time in Telangana’s history that the CMO doesn’t have even one woman officer — not even on OSD duty.
While several names have done the rounds and there are known aspirants willing to take on key roles, CM Revanth Reddy has shown little interest in making space. The inner circle remains tightly male, and there’s no signal of change anytime soon. It’s slowly becoming the talk in Secretariat circles. And if the opposition picks it up, this could blow up fast. With the opposition already circling over missed promises to women, the contradiction between slogan and staffing may not go unnoticed for long. After all, Indira Mahila Shakti pitch with an all-male CMO isn’t the best look.
CS = Common Sense ! Ramakrishna Rao Wins Quiet Praise
The buzz around the Secretariat is that Telangana’s new Chief Secretary, A. Ramakrishna Rao, is off to a smooth start. Whispers in corridors of power are “He’s CS with Common Sense,” a rare compliment in babudom where common sense isn’t always common. Unlike the usual desk-bound style, Ramakrishna Rao seems keen to leave a visible mark. He’s been making quiet field visits and insisting on ground-level reviews. Even the official CS social media handle, which had turned into a ghost town for months, is now back to life with regular updates. So far, no theatrics, no turf wars- And for once, that seems to be working.
What Really Triggered Smita Sabharwal’s Transfer?
The official reason may have been a tweet repost on UoH, but inside the corridors of power, few are buying that as the whole story behind Smita Sabharwal’s sudden transfer. Buzz in top bureaucratic and political circles suggests it had more to do with a high-stakes tussle over a prime parcel of land in Hyderabad. Smita was reportedly not on board with bending rulesfor a politically-linked project. She was said to be standing firm from being handed over under pressure — and that didn’t sit well with some powerful players. Two cabinet ministers, both known for their influence, are believed to have pushed hard for her removal. The reposted tweet only served as a convenient excuse, timed perfectly to mask a more serious backroom fallout.
No Takers for Arogyasri Hot Seat
The Rajiv Arogyasri Trust has turned into a revolving door for IAS officers, with six CEOs coming and going in just 16 months. Now, the post lies vacant — it is increasingly being viewed as a thankless assignment. The situation has taken a serious turn. Hospital payments under the scheme are also running into issues, sparking concerns about the future of Telangana’s flagship health programme. The frequent changes at the top have crippled the functioning of the Trust. Interestingly, one brief phase under RV Karnan’s leadership did manage to win some praise. During his tenure, the Arogyasri scheme was extended to cover nearly 2,000 orphaned children — a rare bright spot in an otherwise chaotic stretch for the Trust. Unless the government steps in with clarity and stability, the very credibility of the Arogyasri system may be at risk. For now, the CEO’s chair remains empty — and so does the trust in the system.
Governor Snubbed – Faces Protocol Breach at AP Bhavan
Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice Abdul Nazeer reportedly encountered a major protocol slip during his recent Delhi visit. In what’s being seen as a serious lapse, the Governor arrived in the capital to attend the swearing-in of the new Chief Justice of India — but was neither received at the airport nor formally welcomed by officials of the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan. According to protocol, the Resident Commissioner is expected to receive the Governor or Chief Minister during official visits. But IAS officer Luv Agarwal, who currently holds that post, failed to show up or meet the Governor within 24 hours of his arrival, violating the standard procedure.
The incident has caused visible discontent in both the Governor’s entourage and among officials at the Bhavan. Buzz is that the Andhra Pradesh government has now sought an explanation from Agarwal. This has come as a surprise given Agarwal’s seniority and past record, having held key posts including as Collector and as a prominent face during India’s COVID-19 response while serving in the Union Health Ministry. While official statements are awaited, the silence at AP Bhavan isn’t going unnoticed — and questions over courtesy and accountability are only getting louder.
