AP CM Jagan has decided to remove majority of the advisors to the government, which he had appointed last year to take their expert advices in improving the administration, sources close to the ruling party said.
Jagan is learnt to have taken the decision following the resignation of senior journalist K Ramachandra Murthy from the post of advisor (public policy) to the government of Andhra Pradesh.
Murthy met Jagan’s principal advisor Ajeya Kallam in the Secretariat in the afternoon and handed over his resignation.
It is not exactly known whether Murthy resigned on his own or was asked to resign as part of Jagan’s decision.
Murthy had been in the field of journalism for over four decades and worked as editor of Telugu dailies such as Udayam, Vartha, Andhra Jyothy and editorial director of Sakshi Media Group.
He was also the managing director of Hyderabad Media House and founder-chief editor of HMTV, a Telugu news channel, and The Hans India, an English daily.
Apart from Murthy, Jagan had appointed around 20 advisors in various fields including communications advisor, advisor (national and international media and inter-state affairs), Information Technology advisors, advisor (resource mobilisation), advisor (public affairs) etc.
All these posts are of cabinet rank and carry huge perks and remuneration. Though these advisors were initially given a term that is co-terminus with the government, Jagan later cut down their term to two years.