Telangana government hints at bigger reshuffle as AP ex-chief secretary is appointed advisor

According to senior official sources, more changes were expected, hinting at a race for the post of chief secretary.

South First has received the information about the bringing-in of new officers from Andhra Pradesh and also new changes in positing officers, with the Telangana government passing a government order (GO) that could lead to further transfers.

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Possible transfers

Discussions about reshuffling officers have been ongoing for over a month, focusing on various officers awaiting promotion as part of routine transfers.

Key questions include whether Vikas Raj, the Chief Electoral Officer, will return to the Telangana Secretariat.

A 1992-batch IAS officer, Vikas Raj previously worked in the General Administration Department (GAD) and Panchayat Raj before his current role.

Another official in consideration is Dr Shashank Goel, a 1990-batch IAS officer currently serving as the director general of the Dr Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute of Telangana.

Then there are these officials:

1. Ramakrishna Rao, a 1991-batch IAS officer and special chief secretary of the Finance Department, is recovering from surgery.
2. Thus, he may not choose any department for some time and opt for voluntary retirement.
3. Jayesh Ranjan, a 1992-batch IAS officer, is the special chief secretary of the Information and Technology Department.
4. Arvind Kumar, a 1991-batch IAS officer and a prominent figure on social media, is known for his active role in the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Department, and has been in the limelight for alleged violations during the Formula-E Race.

Also Read: Telangana govt announces transfers, postings of IAS, IPS officers

Factors under consideration

Sources suggested that comprehensive administrative transfers were imminent. The Central government’s general transfer of officers occurred three months ago, and now the Council of Ministers is likely to implement departmental changes.

A senior IAS explained that there would be routine transfers soon. The discussions have been underway for a month now, and there is an unwritten rule of two years’ tenure for any officer in Telangana but it is strongly followed now.

The reasons for choosing Vikas Raj were disciplined and violence-free elections in Telangana.

Meanwhile, Jayesh Ranjan is looked at as someone who has travelled with the chief minister to other countries and could attract funds to the state.

Now, if Ramakrishna Rao opts for voluntary retirement and leaves the Finance Department, the biggest challenge before the state government would be to replace him.

The government appears to be unable to find a competent officer to replace an official who has the experience of working on 11 budgets.

The names of Sandeep Sultania and Ronald Rose, who previously worked in the Finance Department, are under consideration.

Sandeep Sultania is an officer of the 1998 batch and Ronald Rose is a 2006-cadre IAS officer who is currently the commissioner of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)

Rose, however, is on leave after the peaceful conduct of the elections, and it is said to be a given that he would get a new transfer.

A senior IPS officer confirmed to South First that the transfer of IPS officers has continued to be discussed over the past month, and even those who recently took charge might be transferred.

The names have not been revealed, but the shuffling will be at the levels of the superintendent of police, deputy superintendent of police, and commissioner.

(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)