Blaming officers to cover up their failures, a new normal in Telangana

"They remain confined to their air-conditioned offices. I have no idea where the system is heading. I am dissatisfied with the approach of certain officers," Revanth Reddy remarked while launching a book authored by retired IAS officer Gopalakrishna Naidu.

Hyderabad: It is a new normal in Telangana. After Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, now TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud warned officials, especially IAS officers, to mend their ways and work in accordance with government priorities. Last month, the Chief Minister stressed that IAS officers need to change their attitude, besides refraining from writing negative comments on files.

“They do not step out of their AC chambers. I am clueless as to which direction the system is heading. I am not happy with the attitude of a few officers,” Revanth Reddy had said after releasing a book written by retired IAS officer Gopalakrishna Naidu.

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On Thursday, TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud warned government officials, including IAS officers to mend their ways, failing which the government would be forced to think “seriously”.

“Through media, I am warning officials. A few officials, right from MROs to IAS officers, are not attending to their duties and are lethargic. This is generating a bad name for the government,” Mahesh Kumar Goud said.

This attitude of the Congress leaders towards employees, especially IAS officers, has not gone well with the employees associations. Politicians were known to pass on the blame on others and this was what Congress leaders were doing in Telangana. To cover up their failures, they were now blaming the officers, including IAS officers. This does not augur well, said a member of Joint Action Committee of Telangana Employees Gazetted Officers, Teachers, Workers and Pensioners.

Since last October, the JAC representatives had approached the government several times to address their long-pending issues. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister and other leaders gave assurances but the issues were not addressed. Did the employees use any objectionable language or made any wrong comments on the government, the member asked.

The employees are also condemning the threatening attitude of the Congress leaders. When employees were demanding about the long-pending dues and issues, they were being targeted. Leaders should refrain from threatening the employees, a TNGOs office bearer said.

It may be recalled that the IAS Officers Association in November last had condemned BRS working president KT Rama Rao’s remarks against Rajanna Sircilla Collector and demanded an apology.

In a statement, the Telangana IAS Officers Association said it had become a norm to cast aspersions on public servants by persons occupying responsible public offices. But when an open comment is made by another politician, the association chose to ignore it altogether.