It looks like YSRCP president and CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has found a very cooperative and trustworthy bureaucrat in chief secretary Neelam Sawhney, so much that he wants to continue her in the post for some more time.
On Wednesday, the chief minister wrote to the Central government asking for a further extension of term for Neelam Sawhney by another three months, stating that the state government wants to utilise her valuable services for some more time.
In fact, Neelam was supposed to retire on June 30 on the attainment of superannuation.
In May last, Jagan wrote to the Centre seeking extension of her tenure by at least six months. The Centre obliged to his request and granted her a three-month extension, instead of six months.
Now, this three-month term is going to end on September 30. Though she still has a little over two months of service, the chief minister sought further extension for her from the Centre by another three months, that is till December end.
In all probability, the Centre might oblige Jagan’s request, but he cannot seek further extensions, as the Centre can give only two extensions for any IAS officer and that, too, for a maximum period of six months.
In any case, nothing can stop Jagan if he wants to utilise the services of Neelam even after the retirement in any capacity, as was done in the case of retired IAS offices like Ajeya Kallam and P V Ramesh.