Three districts struggle with vacant Additional Collector posts

Administrative functioning in Sangareddy, Siddipet and Medak districts is affected as Additional Collector (Local Bodies) posts remain vacant. Despite recent officer reshuffles in Telangana, the government has not filled the positions, leaving key responsibilities under additional charge.

Sangareddy: The 99-day Praja Palana–Pragathi Pranalika programme has begun in Telangana, but the administration in the three districts of erstwhile Medak is facing staff shortages. Key posts remain vacant. One of the two Additional Collector posts is vacant in Sangareddy, Siddipet and Medak districts.

The State government had earlier designated the posts as Additional Collector (Revenue) and Additional Collector (Local Bodies) while dividing departmental responsibilities. The posts of Additional Collector (Local Bodies) are currently vacant in all three districts.

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In Sangareddy, Additional Collector (Local Bodies) B. Chandrasekhar was transferred and appointed as Nalgonda Collector in December. No replacement has been posted even after three months. The government has assigned the responsibilities to the District Revenue Officer as additional charge.

In Medak district, the Additional Collector (Local Bodies) post has remained vacant for the past three years. The government has given the additional charge to Additional Collector (Revenue) Menchu Nagesh.

In Siddipet district, Additional Collector (Local Bodies) Garima Agarwal was transferred and appointed as Rajanna Sircilla Collector. The post has not been filled since then. The additional charge has been given to Additional Collector (Revenue) Abdul Hameed.

The three districts together have 20 municipalities and 1,613 gram panchayats. The Additional Collector (Local Bodies) is responsible for overseeing the administration of municipalities and gram panchayats. Officials say the vacant posts are making it difficult for district administrations to manage these responsibilities effectively.

Even after the recent reshuffle of officers in Telangana, the government has not appointed Additional Collectors for Sangareddy, Siddipet and Medak districts. In Medak district, the post of District Panchayat Officer has also been vacant for several months.