Harish Rao criticises Revanth Reddy for harassing officials with frequent transfers

BRS leader T Harish Rao alleged that frequent transfers of IAS officers by the Congress government had destabilised governance. He criticised service extensions to retired officials, lack of transparency in GOs, and administrative instability affecting key departments and public services.

Hyderabad: BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for lacking control over the administration even two years after assuming power. Instead, the Chief Minister and his Cabinet Ministers were allegedly harassing and blackmailing All India Services officers through frequent transfers, which, he said, had destabilised governance and paralysed key departments.

In an informal interaction with reporters here on Wednesday, Harish Rao recalled that over 140 IAS officers and 20 District Collectors had been transferred since the Congress assumed office in December 2023. “How will the government function if officers are shifted every few months?” he asked, adding that it takes at least six months for a Collector to understand a district’s issues.

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The BRSLP deputy leader said five senior officers had been changed in the power department in two years, severely affecting administration. Similar reshuffles occurred in Singareni, GHMC, Information and Public Relations, School Education, Aarogyasri, Panchayat Raj, Municipal Administration, IT, Mining and the National Health Mission, among others. Frequent changes in departments requiring coordination with the Centre were causing losses to the State, he said, adding that in Rangareddy district alone, four Collectors had been replaced.

Harish Rao also criticised the government for granting service extensions to retired IAS, IPS and engineering officials while transferring serving officers. “The same Congress leaders who opposed extensions during the BRS regime are now continuing the practice,” he remarked, demanding a justification.

Alleging that officers were being threatened with transfers if they did not comply, he said morale among young Collectors was being damaged. He cited the transfer of Vikarabad Collector Prateek Jain after the Lagacherla agitation as an example, stating that the Collector had held discussions with locals and made multiple promises, but was transferred to avoid implementing those promises.

The BRS leader accused the government of lacking transparency, stating that 80 per cent of government orders were being kept offline despite court directions to upload them.

Turning to administration and public services, Harish Rao criticised the deteriorating conditions at MGM Hospital in Warangal and the Jagtial Government Hospital. He also criticised the functioning of the Assembly, pointing out that key posts such as Deputy Speaker and Chief Whip remained vacant and that House committees had not been constituted. He found fault with the appointment of two Assembly Secretaries, calling it a highly uncommon practice.

Urging the government to consider his remarks as constructive suggestions rather than political criticism, he said it should ensure stability in postings and allow officers to function independently for effective administration.