CM’s parallel review meetings spark debate over ministerial autonomy

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s frequent review meetings on subjects already handled by his Cabinet colleagues have triggered debate in political circles. Observers say the practice fuels perceptions of interference in ministerial portfolios and raises concerns about effective utilisation of administrative resources.

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy‘s practice of conducting review meetings on subjects handled by his Cabinet colleagues and issuing directions is triggering a debate in political circles over the extent of his involvement in individual ministerial portfolios.

On Monday, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy reviewed the status of the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS), with discussions focusing on the growing pressure on River Tungabhadra waters and measures to safeguard the interests of farmers in the RDS ayacut in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district.

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Interestingly, the Chief Minister convened another review meeting on the same irrigation project on Wednesday. While political observers note that the Chief Minister has the authority to review the implementation of welfare and development programmes across departments, they question the need for separate review meetings on the same projects after the concerned Ministers have already held detailed discussions.

According to them, the practice has fuelled perceptions that the Chief Minister is only trying to assert control over portfolios handled by his Cabinet colleagues. They also argue that conducting multiple reviews on the same issues raises questions about the effective utilisation of the government’s time and administrative resources.

There have also been instances in the past where Ministers appeared to be unaware of decisions taken in their own departments.

In December last year, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy had gone on record saying he was unaware of the government’s decision permitting a hike in ticket prices for Akhanda 2.

The episode drew attention as the government issued the order despite the Minister’s apparent lack of knowledge about the decision.

In February this year, during the AICC’s meeting with the Telangana Cabinet in New Delhi, a few Ministers reportedly expressed their dissatisfaction over what they described as the Chief Minister’s interference in their respective portfolios. Despite such concerns, the Chief Minister has continued to hold review meetings on issues relating to departments headed by his Cabinet colleagues, even as he himself is in charge of multiple portfolios.