Speculations soar over AP’s new CS and DGP

On 24 Dec 2024 16:13:13

With the imminent retirement of chief secretary (CS) Neerab Kumar Prasad and director general of police (DGP) Dwaraka Tirumala Rao,

• Neerab Kumar Prasad and DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao set to retire this month

• Vijayanand, Sai Prasad, RP Sisodia are in contention for CS role

• Despite Srilakshmi ranking second in seniority list, her name not under consideration

With the imminent retirement of chief secretary (CS) Neerab Kumar Prasad and director general of police (DGP) Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has initiated the process of selecting their successors. As the State gears up for fresh appointments in January, speculation is rife over who will secure these crucial posts.

Three senior IAS officers – K Vijayanand, G Sai Prasad, and RP Sisodia - are in contention for the chief secretary role. Both Sai Prasad and Sisodia belong to the 1991 IAS batch, while Vijayanand is from the 1992 batch. Sources indicate that Vijayanand, currently special chief secretary of the energy department and a trusted aide of CM Naidu, may emerge as the preferred candidate. His track record, tenure, and background as a BC community member from Andhra Pradesh reportedly work in his favor. G Sai Prasad is also one of the main contenders for the CS post.

Despite Yerra Srilakshmi (1988 batch IAS) ranking second in the seniority list after present (CS) Neerab Kumar Prasad, her name is reportedly not under consideration for the CS post due to various factors. G Anantha Ramu (1990), G Sai Prasad (1991), Ajay Jain (1991), Sumitha Dawra (1991), RP Sisodia (1991) and K Vijayanand (1992) are in the seniority list. The DGP position has also drawn significant attention following Dwaraka Tirumala Rao's effective handling of key cases during his tenure. However, as per precedent, extensions for the DGP post are rare, making it likely that a new appointment will be made. While Harish Kumar Gupta, a 1992-batch IPS officer from Andhra Pradesh, remains a strong contender, there is speculation over whether CM Naidu will retain him or opt for a fresh face.

Officers like Anjani Kumar and Anjani Sinha, who are currently serving in Telangana under court orders, are seen as unlikely candidates for the role. The Chief Minister's decision is expected to hinge on a combination of factors, including the candidates' tenure, administrative efficiency, and alignment with the government’s priorities. The appointments will be crucial as the State looks to strengthen governance and tackle emerging challenges in the new year.