The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has significantly changed its administrative approach by imposing strict attendance rules on 16 senior IPS officers previously associated with the YSRCP regime. On August 12, DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao issued orders requiring these officers to report daily to the DGP office without being assigned substantive duties, creating a procedural deadlock.
The affected officers, including two DG ranks and one additional DG rank, must sign an attendance register when they arrive and leave. This group also includes three IG-rank officers, among others, who are similarly awaiting postings. Their routine, marked by its mundane nature due to the absence of designated duties, highlights these officers' administrative limbo.
This policy is seen as a response to perceived shifts in loyalty during the previous government's tenure from 2019 to 2024, in which these officers allegedly took actions motivated by political bias against TDP and other opposition figures. The directive aims to neutralise the influence of officers considered too close to the former regime, a common practice in changing political landscapes. However, it raises ethical concerns about using bureaucratic resources and the implications of such enforced idleness.
Opinions on this issue are split. Some people see it as Naidu's way of seeking revenge because the officers were close to former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Others view it as a justified action against their partisan activities over the past five years.
Former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar, who supports the first perspective, criticised the unusual nature of these directives. "I have never seen something like this in my 26 years of service. Even constables are not subjected to this behavior," he remarked, suggesting that the memo seemed more like political retaliation. "Andhra Pradesh politics has gone to the point of no return," he added, indicating that the officers have been caught in political crossfire.
The Andhra Pradesh state has been under criticism for the past five years. A retired IAS officer pointed out that AIS officers behaved like YSRCP agents despite their constitutional obligation to remain non-partisan. Ramesh advocated for disciplinary action against officers who showed blatant partisanship, emphasising that coming to the office without a posting should not be a punishment. He also stated that government employees must work.
Furthermore, political analyst A Suresh Kumar highlighted that these officers cooperated with the YSRCP government and went beyond legal boundaries to undermine TDP leaders. Kumar emphasised the need for stringent oversight, given the misuse of power during their tenure.
Additionally, the "red book" effect has emerged as a point of contention. This term refers to a list that Andhra Pradesh's IT Minister mentioned during his campaign, cataloguing bureaucrats who allegedly targeted TDP under the previous administration and were openly threatened with action.
The "red book" effect has become a point of contention. This term refers to a list mentioned by Andhra Pradesh's IT minister Nara Lokesh during his campaign. This list catalogues bureaucrats who allegedly targeted TDP under the previous administration and were openly threatened with action.
As this situation unfolds, it illustrates a common pattern of administrative reshuffling in Andhra Pradesh and states like Telangana and Karnataka. This practice often raises questions about the balance between political oversight and the autonomy and neutrality of bureaucratic institutions.
The events in Andhra Pradesh highlight the delicate interplay between governance and bureaucracy in a politically vibrant landscape. This scenario underscores how the actions of a few can lead to significant administrative and ethical debates across the spectrum of government operations. Such developments prompt crucial questions about the non-partisanship of AIS officers and the broader sportsmanship of Indian politicians, reflecting ongoing challenges in maintaining the integrity and impartiality of India's administrative services amidst changing political climates.
After two months of N Chandrababu Naidu's new administration in Andhra Pradesh, 11 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and 23 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers remain without postings. These All India Service (AIS) officers, believed to be close allies of former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy and senior YSRCP leaders, reportedly operated under the previous regime's directives, often disregarding standard rules and procedures. This delay in assignment contradicts Naidu’s stated goal of realigning the administration on the right path.
A number of these officials previously held important positions during Jagan's time in office and are now facing investigation. For example, Srilakshmi, formerly the secretary and later the special chief secretary in the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) department, has been accused by TDP leaders of sabotaging the Amaravati capital project. Her conduct was questioned again when the current MAUD minister Narayana dismissed her urgency in signing a document, highlighting an ongoing dispute. She is also implicated in allegations of misusing public funds for personal purposes.
Rajat Bhargava, who had been waiting for a new role since June 20, previously managed vital departments such as industries, commerce, and revenue, which are now being investigated for alleged mismanagement during his tenure. Gopal Krishna Dwivedi, another significant figure who has been unassigned since June 26, had public disputes with Naidu during the 2019 elections. Naidu challenged the Election Commission of India’s neutrality, accusing it of bias under Dwivedi's administration as the CEO.
Praveen Prakash was once an essential member of Jagan's cabinet, managing general administration and the chief minister’s office. However, he received a show-cause notice for misconduct in 2019. Some of his controversial decisions included signing orders that led to a high-profile bureaucratic reshuffle. Despite these controversies, his request for voluntary retirement was accepted and will be effective from September 30.
Furthermore, D Muralidhar Reddy, Mutyalaraju Revu, and Dr. Narayana Bharath Gupta, who held various important administrative roles under Jagan, are now instructed to report to the General Administration Department. Their appointments and subsequent scrutiny reflect the ongoing political changes under Naidu’s regime, which aims to distance the current administration from the perceived partisanship of its predecessors.
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