GHMC Commissioner Amrapali’s move to Andhra Pradesh (AP) has become necessary following the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) refusal to stay the Department of Personnel Training’s (DoPT) order. A senior IAS officer mentioned that if the IAS officers intend to approach the court, they will have to report in AP as the deadline imposed by the DoPT ends today. CAT has issued clear instructions that the matter will be taken up after the final investigation.
In this context, there is a possibility that the Telangana government will assign the responsibilities to HMDA Commissioner Sarfaraz as the in-charge commissioner in place of Amrapali. Amrapali will have to be relieved from Telangana before reporting in AP. Following this order, Baldia should not appoint a new boss. Amrapali was identified as an AP cadre officer during the state’s bifurcation. Even though she is working in Telangana, her permanent address in Visakhapatnam reflects her AP cadre status.
Amrapali assumed full additional charge as Baldia Commissioner on June 26 and was appointed as a regular commissioner on August 20. However, the DoPT orders emerged, and even if Amrapali reports in AP, there is no possibility of returning to Telangana, according to top officials. It is being discussed that both state governments can continue to employ the officers with mutual consent. The governments would have to consult and decide on this matter.
The dispute over the cadre of seven IAS officers is ongoing. Four IAS officers of the AP cadre are working in Telangana, and three of the Telangana cadre are working in AP. It will be interesting to see what decision the Telangana and AP governments will take. Amrapali will have to continue in AP, as the governments have determined that IAS officers should work in the allotted state. If this happens, senior IAS officers will be considered for the Baldia appointment. The decision on whether to hand over the responsibilities to a junior officer is pending.
There is ongoing discussion in power circles on whether GHMC should be ordered as Commissioner by DOPT or not. If orders are issued, it’s unclear whether Amrapali will return from AP. The discussion has started. Somesh Kumar, identified as an AP cadre, worked in Telangana for nine years. When a cadre dispute arose during his tenure as GHMC Commissioner, he approached CAT and simultaneously served as the Chief Secretary to the Government. Somesh reported in AP before the assembly elections and later voluntarily retired.