New Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju faces financial and administrative challenges

Sanjay Jaju assumed charge as Telangana's Chief Secretary and will serve until February 2029. His priorities include improving the State's finances, securing Central support for major projects, resolving employee issues and strengthening governance while ensuring better implementation of welfare and development programmes

Hyderabad: Amid financial constraints, pressure to fulfil the Congress government’s promises and criticism over the State’s administration, Sanjay Jaju assumed charge as Telangana’s Chief Secretary on Tuesday. Jaju will serve as the Chief Secretary until February 2029. During his tenure, he will have to tackle several key challenges, including improving the State’s financial position.

His immediate priorities include mobilising resources for welfare schemes, securing funds and approvals from the Central government for major projects, and resolving long-pending employee issues such as dearness allowance (DA) dues and the implementation of the Pay Revision Commission (PRC) fitment. The challenges are similar to those faced by former Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao, who also handled the Finance Department for several years.

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Having served in the Central government for nearly 13 years, Jaju is expected to use his experience and contacts to secure approvals and financial support for the State. However, the recent delay in the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) loan for the State government’s proposed Metro Rail takeover has shown that obtaining Central assistance may not be easy.

Apart from addressing financial issues and improving coordination with the Centre, Jaju will also have to strengthen the State’s administrative machinery.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has repeatedly directed District Collectors to conduct regular field inspections and ensure the effective implementation of welfare and development programmes. However, these instructions have largely not been followed on the ground.