Nagari Municipal Commissioner suspended for critical comments on AP government

Chittoor: Commissioner and director of municipal administration, Andhra Pradesh G. Vijaya Kumar on Friday suspended municipal commissioner, Nagari Municipality of Chittoor district, K. Venkatarami Reddy for dereliction of duties, making adverse comments on government and making political comments during COVID-19 crisis.

The comments made by Mr Reddy against the government are against rule 17 (1) of AP Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

It may be recalled, Mr Reddy had posted a video on social media and criticized the AP government for failing to sanction funds for sanitation in spite of the increasing COVID-19 cases in Nagari and freezing the bank accounts. In the video, he also lauded the efforts of Nagari MLA R.K. Roja for financially supporting activities to fight COVID-19 and blamed the government for washing its hands off.

Taking a serious note of Mr Reddy’s comments, the AP government has initiated disciplinary proceedings against him. He has been suspended with immediate effect.

He has been further ordered not to leave the headquarters without the prior permission of the government. During the period, Mr Reddy shall be paid subsistence allowance as per rules in force. Sanitary inspector of Nagari, C.H. Venkateshwar Rao has been given additional charge as municipal commissioner until further orders.