Why IPS officers Shikha Goel, CV Anand in IAS cadre posts: Telangana HC seeks govt’s reason

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday issued notices to the State government seeking an explanation for its decision to post IPS officers in IAS cadre positions.

Justice Surepally Nanda, hearing the petition, directed the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary (General Administration Department) to file their responses by December 10, detailing the reasons behind such postings.

The writ petition was filed by Vadla Srikanth, a lawyer and social activist from Tarnaka, Secunderabad. His counsel, Vijay Gopal, argued that the government’s issuance of GO 1342, dated September 26, violates Central laws governing the allocation and functioning of IAS and IPS officers in State administration.

The petitioner pointed out that several IPS officers are currently holding IAS cadre posts, including:

1. Stephen Ravindra, IPS – Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to Government

2. Shikha Goel, IPS – Director General, Vigilance and Enforcement and Ex-Officio Principal Secretary, GAD

3. CV Anand, IPS – Special Chief Secretary, Home Department

Importance of differentiating roles and responsibilities of two All India Services

Vijay Gopal argued that such postings are contrary to the statutory framework that differentiates the roles and responsibilities of the two All India Services.

He also cited the Telangana phone tapping case as an example, noting that police officers investigate, report and ultimately submit findings to an IPS officer, highlighting the administrative implications of overlapping roles.

Speaking to NewsMeter, advocate Vijay Gopal explained: “Principal Secretary positions are for IAS cadre, and IPS officers cannot be posted to it. In Telangana, three senior IPS officials have been appointed as Principal Secretaries in the Home Department, Civil Supplies and GAD departments, respectively. The appointment is in contrary to the rules based on IAS Fixation of Cadre Strength Regulation 2016. This trend was first observed in 2014 when the BRS-led government (then TRS) started appointing IPS cadre officials to the Principal Secretary post.”

He further adds, “At the time of bifurcation, close to 29 PS positions were allocated to Telangana under the IAS fixation of cadre strength regulation. These positions have been reserved for the IAS cadre. The duty of these executive heads is to review certain decisions taken by IPS officials. Hence, they are appointed for a purpose. For example, it is for an IAS cadre officer, holding the post of a Principal Secretary, to decide whose phone should and shouldn’t be tapped. Having an IPS in these positions is compromising the very existence of a neutral party to review certain decisions. It is also important to note that IAS and IPS officers are trained differently.”

State seeks time to file counter

Appearing for the State, Rahul Reddy, Special Government Pleader from the Additional Advocate General’s office, sought time to file a counter affidavit.

After hearing the submissions, the court adjourned the matter to December 10, directing the State Government to submit its counter-affidavits before the next hearing.