Is Somesh Kumar heading for a VRS?

Hyderabad: Politics of bureaucracy in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh boiled up after Telangana High Court quashed Administrative Tribunal Orders in case of Somesh Kumar Chief Secretary to Government of Telangana.

Ministry of Personnel Public Grievance and pension Department of Personnel and Training issued directions to the Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana as per the order of High court and directed him to join the State Government of Andhra Pradesh latest by 12 January 2023.

The orders were issued after High Court Orders in the morning stating that Somesh Kumar must return to his original cadre allotment in Andhra Pradesh.

According to the High Court order, the union government issued directions and instructed him to join Andhra Pradesh Cadre.

Declaration of not a Telangana Cadre

Union Government and Telangana High court orders have clearly declared he is not in Telangana Cadre. This means that posting in the TS government as consultant would be difficult.

Somesh Kumar is set to retire on December 31st, 2023. According to sources, TS government planned to take his services as a consultant. But with the HC declaring that he is not of Telangana Cadre it would be difficult.

According to sources, senior IAS officers of Andhra Pradesh are not going to be able to accomodate an officer of chief secretary level in their government.

Since there are no 'prominent posts', he is not keen to join the AP government.

Another line of thought is that if he joins the AP cadre, it is not necessary that the government will give him any posting. He is likely to be put on waiting for posting.

Will he opt for VRS?

For Voluntary Retirement from service, Somesh Kumar has to first join Andhra Pradesh cadre. Only when an officer is in service, VRS can be an option.

Will Somesh Kumar move the higher court for relief?

There is speculation on what he will do and how he will move on. While the orders of the High Court need to be complied, his next step is generating interest in political and bureaucratic circles.

BJP lashes out at CM KCR for Somesh Kumar

Order of the High Court confirming the cadre of Telangana state Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and the orders of the Union Government is a slap on the face of Chief Minister KCR, said N V Subhash, official spokesperson of BJP. He said, " Though Mr Somesh Kumar was allotted AP cadre as per the AP Reorganisation act, CM KCR has violated constitutional norms and disparaged constitutional decisions. KCR appointed officers for his whims to cover up his misdeeds and corrupt practices."