IAS A Santhi Kumari is Telangana's new Chief Secretary

Hyderabad: The government of Telangana appointed IAS officer A Santhi Kumari as the new Chief Secretary. This development comes after the High Court of Telangana struck down the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) earlier order, forcing Somesh Kumar to vacate the seat. The incumbent CS's allocation to Telangana has been canceled.

The new Chief Secretary (1965 born) entered the civil service in the year 1989 and served in various capacities in the Telangana and united Andhra Pradesh government. Earlier, she served as a Special Chief Secretary (Health).

This brings an end to series of speculation on who is going to clinch the top job. Among the other names that was making round to clinch the top post was MAUD Chief Aravind Kumar and senior IAS and Special Chief Secretary officer Rajat Kumar.

What unfolded earlier

On Tuesday, the Telangana High Court issued a key verdict on the Somesh Kumar cadre allotment dispute. The High Court Bench led by Justice Ujwal Bhuya set aside the orders of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). Somesh Kumar's allocation to Telangana has been canceled.

Mr. Kumar's counsel requested the court to suspend the execution of the order for three weeks. The High Court Bench rejected the counsel's plea and did not give any time. The CJ Bench directed Mr. Kumar to go and join the AP cadre as soon as the copy of the verdict is received Mr. Kumar will now have to approach the Supreme Court challenging the Telangana High Court's verdict.

After the Telangana High Court passed an order asking chief secretary Somesh Kumar to return to his original cadre allotment in Andhra Pradesh, the Union government has issued orders reliving Mr. Kumar of his duties. He has been asked to join the Andhra Pradesh government by 12 January.

"In compliance with the aforesaid judgment, the officer concerned (Shri Somesh Kumar, IAS, AP:89) stands relieved from the State Government of Telangana, with immediate effect. He is to be directed to join the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, latest by 12.01.2023," read the government order.

Mr. Kumar was assigned to AP by the Center during the bifurcation of the state. Earlier, CAT had given orders to stop the Center's orders and continue in Telangana. Mr. Kumar had continued in Telangana with CAT interim orders.

In 2017, the Center approached the High Court to quash the CAT order.