When it comes to the coveted Chief Secretary post, those who are pipped at the post in a covert race may not always take it lying down. In Telangana, Finance Secretary Ramakrishna Rao is reportedly cut up over not getting the post of Chief Secretary. His close associates believe that the Kapu lobby had scuttled his chances of getting the post.
They aver that mainly due the machinations of the community he had lost the opportunity. A little bird told us that Goldstone Prasad had played politics at the eleventh hour, though Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was inclined towards making Ramakrishna Rao the CS.
Ramakrishna Rao’s peers discuss in private that Andhra Kapus went against him. Although there is still chance for Ramakrishna Rao to become CS, he is not all that hopeful of making it. He has been telling others: ‘Who knows what’ll happen in future?’
2023 appears no good for Somesh
Although it has been just one month into 2023, the year ahead appears to be no good for former Telangana CS Somesh Kumar. The much-talked-about ‘return’ of Somesh Kumar to Telangana seems to be entirely unfounded. More than three weeks after the judgment, there has been no visible activity in that direction. A little bird told us that the judgment had been anticipated by the brass in the administration during mid-December.
The Andhra Pradesh government is yet to give him a posting. Meanwhile, dark days continue to haunt Somesh. Earlier this week, bailable warrants were issued against the former chief secretary for his willful disobedience of court orders in relation to a plot of land in the Jubilee Hills area. Prior to that, a complaint was lodged with the Central Bureau of Investigation alleging corruption involving him.
Adityanath Das point person in Delhi
Adityanath Das has become the point person for AP Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in Delhi. Andhra Pradesh is reeling under extreme financial crunch, going by certain indicators. So, the support of the Government of India is imperative for the state even to pay salaries and pensions, which are currently delayed.
The Centre willy-nilly has to come to the rescue of the state government to enable it to wriggle out of the difficult situation time and again. Jagan has put forth his requests to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. As his representative, he has kept Adityanath Das, chief advisor, in Delhi. Aditya has been meeting officials of the Finance Ministry and speaking to many people for continual help. His efforts seem to be helping the state in its moment of crisis.
Navin Mittal not done with Education Department
Although Navin Mittal has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary, Land Revenue and Registration in the existing vacancy and given the full additional charge as Chief Commissioner of Land Administration, he is not yet done with the Education Department. He continues to run the show. A little bird told us that the officer continues to ask for files of the Education Department, maintaining that he had been asked to keep an eye on the position until someone else is appointed. Meanwhile, some associations are coming in support of Navin Mittal. The Telangana Intermediate Government Junior Lecturers Association for one wants Naveen Mittal to hold FAC till the end of the annual examinations.
Curious case of Nirmal Collector
Even as several senior IAS officers continue to wait for posting, luck smiled on just one officer of 2019 batch, but with heartburn for a senior official. Varun Reddy was appointed as Collector of Nirmal last week. His appointment has irked IAS officers of 2016, 2017 and 2018 batches awaiting posting. The appointment is believed to have been made with disregard for principles of natural justice, considering that Hemant Bhorkhade, a 2018 batch IAS officer, is Additional Collector Local Bodies to Nirmal.
Now, he has to work under Varun. While sympathising with ACLB Nirmal, bureaucratic circles are discussing how community considerations have played a role in the appointment. For newbies, Minister Indrakaran Reddy is the Minister from Nirmal.
-Yours truly
