Excise Commissioner row sparks outrage in Telangana

A controversy erupted after Deputy Commissioner V Somi Reddy accused Excise Commissioner C Hari Kiran of verbal abuse. Employee unions demanded suspension, while opposition parties criticised the government, alleging bias in appointments and raising concerns over workplace environment and governance.

Hyderabad: The alleged high-handed behaviour of Excise Commissioner C Hari Kiran and his penchant for using choicest epithets to abuse subordinates, especially Deputy Commissioner V Somi Reddy, has escalated into a major controversy, sparking outrage among government employees and the political opposition. While employee unions demanded immediate suspension of the Commissioner, opposition parties criticised the Congress government for appointing officers from Andhra Pradesh to key positions in Telangana.

Amid the growing row, Somi Reddy, in a video message, announced his decision to resign, stating that he was deeply humiliated and subjected to mental distress. The incident occurred during the process of constable transfers in the department. On Thursday night, several officials gathered at the Excise headquarters in Nampally and worked late into the night to finalise the transfers.

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During this process, Somi Reddy alleged that the Commissioner verbally abused him without justification. According to employees, Hari Kiran reportedly reprimanded him for not completing assigned work efficiently.

“Commissioner Hari Kiran called me a fool and used harsh language. Unable to bear the humiliation, I collapsed and was shifted to a hospital by my colleagues,” Somi Reddy said in his video message, expressing gratitude to those who assisted him.

Condemning the incident, the Telangana Employees Joint Action Committee demanded immediate suspension of the Commissioner. The JAC leaders stated that abusive behaviour towards employees was unacceptable and called for a special committee to investigate the matter. “The Excise Commissioner C Hari Kiran used harsh and abusive language towards Somi Reddy, calling him a fool and an idiot. He must be suspended immediately,” JAC Chairman Lachireddy and Secretary General Odanala Rajasekhar demanded.

The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) also strongly criticised the government. Former Excise Minister V Srinivas Goud visited Somi Reddy at a private hospital on Saturday, where the latter is undergoing treatment.

Speaking to the media, Srinivas Goud demanded Hari Kiran’s removal from service, accusing him of harassing employees and lowering morale within the department. He further alleged that officers from Andhra Pradesh were being favoured for key postings, while Telangana officials were being sidelined.

The former minister also pointed out that another officer, SAM Rizvi, had opted for voluntary retirement, allegedly due to the prevailing work environment.

Additionally, he raised allegations of corruption in the department, including the role of a retired officer serving as Officer on Special Duty to the Excise Minister.