Ex-Intelligence chief asks AP govt to pay his full salary, says suspension ended in Feb

Amaravati: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief of Intelligence A.B Venkateswara Rao wrote to the state chief secretary stating that the state government does not have the power to extend his suspension beyond two years. He said his suspension ended on 8 February 2022 and the Central ministry's review committee has recommended no further extension. He also said that he hasn't been paid subsistence allowance or full salary for February 2022.

In the letter written to chief secretary Sameer Sharma, Mr. Rao said the suspension of a member of the Service on charges of corruption should not exceed two years and the inquiry should be completed. An appropriate order should be issued within two years from the date of suspension, failing which the suspension order shall automatically stand revoked, he wrote.

He said that his suspension was extended beyond 1 August 2021 for 180 days and it will automatically stand revoked on 8 February 2022. Now that his suspension has ended, he asked for payment of his full salary.

"My last suspension expired on 31 July 2021, and there was no information if the suspension had been extended beyond the date, and G.O could be found on the government website. I came to know that G.O 1259 was issued, extending the suspension for 180 days. The website concerned shows this as 'confidential' G.O and hence, not accessible through the website. However, the G.O does not bear any marking that says it is confidential," he said.

It may be recalled that the YSRCP had raised a complaint against Mr. Rao for working in favour of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu during the 2019 elections. He was removed from the post of Chief of Intelligence and was suspended for having allegedly purchased surveillance equipment.