Friday, March 24, 2023
  • Login
The South First
Advertisement
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Health
  • Videos
  • Dakshin Dialogues
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Health
  • Videos
  • Dakshin Dialogues
No Result
View All Result
The South First
No Result
View All Result

Home » Andhra Pradesh » HC orders Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar back to Andhra cadre; Centre sets 12 January deadline

HC orders Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar back to Andhra cadre; Centre sets 12 January deadline

The court refused to hold the order in abeyance till Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar could appeal against it in the Supreme Court.

Raj RayasambyRaj Rayasam
Published:10/01/2023 2:39 pm
A A
Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar

Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar with Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. (Supplied)

In what is a clear setback to Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, the state high court on Tuesday, 10 January, directed him to revert to the Andhra Pradesh (AP) cadre, to which he was allotted at the time of the bifurcation of the state in 2014.

Within hours, the Central government asked Somesh to join the AP government latest by 12 January. Acting with great speed, the Centre also relieved him from the service of the Telangana government.

In a letter to Somesh Kumar on Tuesday, Union Department of Personnel and Training Undersecretary Anshuman Mishra said that following the quashing of the 2016 order by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) — which put him in Telangana —  by the Telangana High Court, he stood relieved from the service of the Telangana government with immediate effect.

Mishra also said Kumar had been directed to send a compliance report to the department after joining the AP government.

In his letter to Kumar, Mishra quoted the operative portion of the High court order which read: “…That being the position and upon a thorough consideration of all aspects of the matter, we have no hesitation in holding that CAT had grossly erred in interfering with the allocation of the first respondent (Somesh Kumar) to the state of Andhra Pradesh. Consequently, judgement and order dated 29.03.2016 passed by CAT in OA no: 1241 of 2014 being clearly unsustainable in law and on facts, is hereby set aside and quashed. Writ petition is accordingly allowed. However, there shall be no order to the costs.”

The Telangana High Court order

While issuing the order, a division bench of the Telangana High Court headed by Chief Justice Ujjal Bhyuan did not allow Kumar’s plea to keep the order in abeyance for three weeks to allow him to appeal the decision.

This means that Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, who has just about a year of service left, would have to leave Telangana and move to Andhra Pradesh until such time he gets a stay order.

It means that he would cease to be chief secretary of Telangana and would have to take up whatever responsibility that the Andhra Pradesh government assigns him, commensurate with his rank.

It remains to be seen what course of action he would take — whether he would move an appeal in the Supreme Court, or move to Andhra Pradesh.

Soon after the high court order, Somesh Kumar met with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. It is not known what they discussed.

Related: Why Andhra bureaucrats are an unhappy lot

Background to the case

At the time of the bifurcation of the state in 2014, Somesh Kumar, when he was assigned to Andhra Pradesh, had challenged the order in the CAT.

In 2016, the CAT issued orders that if the Telangana government felt that his services were required, it could retain him after getting the consent of the Andhra Pradesh government.

The Centre, however, moved the Telangana High Court, seeking a stay on the CAT’s order.

The state government had argued in court that it would lead to seniority problems in the two states among IAS officers and would have a cascading effect on others.

The high court had kept its order in reserve a few months ago after hearing the arguments of Somesh Kumar, and the central and state governments.

Related: Telangana doctor-bureaucrat with political ambitions

On Tuesday, the Telangana High Court, allowing the plea of the Centre, gave its verdict, effectively cancelling the CAT’s order.

Somesh Kumar, who is believed to have the trust of Chief Minister KCR, was appointed chief secretary of Telangana on 31 December, 2019, completing more than three years of service in the position as of now — which is a first.

He happens to be one of the longest-serving chief secretaries in the country.

Apart from discharging the responsibilities of the chief secretary, he holds charge of the departments of excise, revenue, commercial taxes, stamps and registration, and land administration.

He played an important role in the cleansing of land records and uploading them into the Dharni portal after digitisation.

His retirement is due on 31 December this year.

BJP welcomes HC order

The Opposition BJP was quick to welcome the high court order directing Somesh Kumar to return to his original cadre in Andhra Pradesh.

“The BJP stands vindicated of our earlier charge that Chief Minister KCR was holding ‘out of cadre’ IAS officers for his ‘special interest’ against central government administrative norms,” a party statement said.

Throwing what it called were “a few pointed questions” at  KCR, the party asked: “Why should he (KCR) opt for favourites amongst IAS officers, especially those who are not even assigned the Telangana state cadre? What do these officers enable for KCR? Why are these officers being given plum posts and made to dominate and override all other administrative officers of Telangana state cadre?”

The statement added that Somesh Kumar “must immediately follow” the high court order and return to his assigned cadre in Andhra Pradesh.

Don't miss our top stories!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more information.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Recommended For You

Congress workers protest across India after Rahul Gandhi disqualified as MP (2)
News

Congress protests across India after Rahul Gandhi disqualified as MP

March 24, 2023
Vundavalli Sridevi, Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, Mekapati Chandrasekhar Reddy, and Anam Ramanarayana Reddy.
Andhra Pradesh

YSRCP suspends 4 MLAs who cross-voted for TDP candidate in MLC election

March 24, 2023
The court also asked the party to submit the list of national and state leaders who will be participating in the dharna. (Wikimedia Commons)
News

TSPSC paper leak: Telangana High Court allows BJP to hold ‘Maha Dharna’ protest

March 24, 2023
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Narendra Modi government is most afraid of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. (Twitter/INCIndia)
Karnataka

Allies, rival parties alike decry Rahul Gandhi disqualification; call for united front grows louder

March 24, 2023
Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan speaking in the Assembly. (Screengrab)
Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Assembly urges Centre to provide  SC status to Dalit Christians, include Boyas in ST list

March 24, 2023
OBBs by the current YSRCP government had always come under criticism from the Opposition — especially the TDP.
Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh off-budget borrowings at ₹1.18 L cr; overall liability ₹4.91 L cr: CAG

March 24, 2023

Top Stories

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Narendra Modi government is most afraid of Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. (Twitter/INCIndia)

Allies, rival parties alike decry Rahul Gandhi disqualification; call for united front grows louder

March 24, 2023
Former Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal. (Supplied)

Mohammed Faizal case: Conviction stayed or not, wait for Rahul Gandhi to be MP again may be long

March 24, 2023
Amit Shah Vijayendra

Karnataka: At BS Yediyurappa breakfast meet, Amit Shah puts BY Vijayendra-baiters in BJP on backfoot

March 24, 2023

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates direct to your inbox.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Like and Follow

Follow @TheSouthfirst

Latest

Congress workers protest across India after Rahul Gandhi disqualified as MP (2)

Congress protests across India after Rahul Gandhi disqualified as MP

March 24, 2023
Vundavalli Sridevi, Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy, Mekapati Chandrasekhar Reddy, and Anam Ramanarayana Reddy.

YSRCP suspends 4 MLAs who cross-voted for TDP candidate in MLC election

March 24, 2023
The court also asked the party to submit the list of national and state leaders who will be participating in the dharna. (Wikimedia Commons)

TSPSC paper leak: Telangana High Court allows BJP to hold ‘Maha Dharna’ protest

March 24, 2023
The South First

CATEGORIES

  • News
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Entertainment & Culture
  • Featured
  • Health & Wellness
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Telangana

PAGES

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2023 The South First

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • States
    • Andhra Pradesh
    • Karnataka
    • Kerala
    • Tamil Nadu
    • Telangana
  • Politics
    • Behind the News
  • Entertainment & Culture
  • Opinion & Analysis
  • Health & Wellness
  • Dakshin Dialogues
  • Videos

© 2023 The South First

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our