Political interference deepens rift between ministers and bureaucrats in Congress government

A complaint by Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao against IAS officer SAM Rizvi has exposed widening tensions between Congress ministers and bureaucrats in Telangana. Ministers allege negligence and protocol breaches, while the IAS Officers’ Association maintains silence on the issue

Hyderabad: The complaint lodged by Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao against senior IAS officer SAM Rizvi, addressed to Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao, has brought to light the intensifying discord between ministers and bureaucrats in the Congress government. The episode not only highlights the division but also underscores the growing political interference in the administration.

Over the past two years, from Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy down to Government Whips, Congress ministers and party leaders have repeatedly voiced dissatisfaction with the conduct of bureaucrats.

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At a book launch in February, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accused the current generation of IAS officers of encouraging mistakes rather than correcting them. He stressed the need for officers to abandon practices that create obstacles and inconvenience for others, including making negative remarks on files. The Chief Minister also pointed out that many IAS officers remain in their air-conditioned offices, avoiding field inspections. He emphasised that IAS officers have a duty to assist political leaders in making informed decisions.

Contradicting these directives, Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao stated that it was his obligation to act against SAM Rizvi, accusing him of hindering government operations. “What’s wrong with it? Not just the hologram issue, there are 101 other things,” Rao said.

This sentiment is echoed by other cabinet ministers and several MLAs, who complain about delays in completing recommended work and breaches of protocol. For instance, during last month’s Praja Palana celebrations, Rajanna Sircilla Collector Sandeep Kumar Jha arrived late, prompting Government Whip Adi Srinivas to hoist the national flag. Jha was transferred a week later.

Despite the growing number of complaints from Congress ministers and leaders, the Telangana IAS Officers’ Association has remained silent. Although the Excise Minister has made specific allegations of misconduct and negligence against SAM Rizvi, IAS officers collectively maintain a strategic silence.

It is notable that last year, when former Minister KT Rama Rao accused Sandeep Kumar Jha of acting as a Congress party worker, the IAS Officers’ Association promptly demanded an apology. In contrast, their response has been muted as Congress ministers and MLAs continue to level accusations against bureaucrats.