Speculation grows over next Chief Secretary, DGP in Telangana

With Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao retiring this month and DGP Jithender next month, speculation is rife over their successors. While IAS officers Jayesh Ranjan and Vikas Raj are among probables for CS, senior IPS officers are being considered for DGP

Hyderabad: With Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao set to retire at the end of this month and Director General of Police Jithender scheduled to superannuate at the end of September, speculation is rife in the Secretariat over their successors.

The Congress government had earlier assured employees that there would be no extensions of service in the State, nor would the services of retired officials be utilised. In March, a memo was issued directing all departments to terminate services of retired employees working post-retirement on a contract or an outsourcing basis. Departments requiring such services were asked to seek fresh approval with proper justification from the competent authority.

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However, in contrast to the spirit of these orders, the government appointed former Chief Secretary A Santhi Kumari as Vice-Chairperson of Dr MCRHRD following her retirement on April 30 this year. Similarly, retired IAS officer A Sharath was appointed Chairman of TGREDCO, with orders issued on August 19. He assumed charge on Wednesday. A few more retired officials have also been accommodated in various departments.

With the Chief Secretary’s retirement nearing, speculation has intensified over whether the government will extend his tenure for three months despite its earlier stand, or appoint a new officer. Names of senior officials, including Jayesh Ranjan and Vikas Raj, are doing the rounds. Jayesh Ranjan has been serving as Special Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office since April.

Meanwhile, as DGP Jithender is scheduled to retire on September 30, several senior IPS officers are among the probables for the top police post. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner CV Anand, Intelligence DG B Shivdhar Reddy, Prisons DG Soumya Mishra and Cyber Security Bureau Director Shikha Goel are reportedly among those being considered.