In a first, non-IAS Officer to head TGSWREIS in Telangana

The Telangana government has, for the first time, appointed a non-IAS officer, K. Sarada, as secretary of TGSWREIS after repeated bureaucratic transfers and leaves. The move is linked to centralising procurement of education kits worth Rs 880 crore, with tenders being awarded to select agencies.

Hyderabad: With bureaucrats not keen on taking up the post or going on long leaves, the State government appointed a non-IAS officer as secretary in charge of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS).

This is the first time that a non-IAS officer has been appointed as the Society’s secretary.

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In an order issued on Monday, the Scheduled Castes Development department placed K Sarada, joint secretary of the TGSWREIS, in full additional charge of the post of Secretary, TGSWREIS, until a new incumbent/regular officer takes over the charge.

Sarada, according to society staff, hails from an academic background. So far, the State government has appointed a senior IAS, IPS, IFS or equivalent ranks as the TGSWREIS Secretary. IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar, IAS officers Ronald Rose and Dr. E Naveen Nicolas have earlier served as Secretaries of the Society.

Since the Telangana Congress government came into power in December 2023, six bureaucrats were posted as the TGSWREIS secretary. After Dr Nicolas, the government appointed IAS officers K Seetha Lakshmi, Alagu Varsini, Krishna Aditya and B Viziendira, who could not continue in the post due to various reasons. As Viziendira went on extended leave till May 15, the government appointed Sarada.

One of the main reasons for the government to appoint Sarada as society secretary, according to society staff, is to push the centralised purchase of education kits – books, uniforms, stationery, blankets, shoes, socks – through tenders for all welfare societies and the school education department. Previously, each institution conducted its own tenders at the district level through collectors and made purchases.

For the academic year 2026–27, the government released the tender for 24 items worth Rs. 880 crore. While around 30 agencies submitted bids for some categories, only 12 qualified.

It is said that the selection of agencies for seven categories has already been completed. As per the reports, the government intends to award tenders worth Rs. 600 crore to a single company.