The Andhra Pradesh government headed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday revoked the suspension of his former personal assistant Pendyala Srinivasa Rao with immediate effect and reinstated him in service.
Srinivas, who was assistant secretary in the planning department, served as Naidu’s PA during the latter’s tenure as chief minister between 2014 and 2019.
He was accused of playing a key role in the AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) scam, in which Naidu was arrested on September 9 last year.
In October last year, the then Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy suspended him on the charges of violation of services rules.
The Jagan government alleged that Naidu’s former PA had fled to the US to evade investigation in the case.
Srinivasa had also been mentioned in the Income Tax notice issued to the TDP chief over the alleged undisclosed income of Rs 118 crore. He was placed under suspension pending inquiry against him.
On Monday, chief secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad issued orders revoking the suspension.
It said Srinivas was suspended for his un-authorized absence from duties and leaving the country without prior sanction and permission in violation of A.P.C.S.(Conduct) Rules, 1964.
The chief secretary said the government has appointed an inquiring authority to probe the charges framed against Srinivas.
The inquiring authority submitted a report with his findings that the charges framed against Srinivas were partially correct.
However, following a representation from Srinivas, the Naidu government decided to exonerate him from the part of the charges proved against him and dropped further action with a warning to be more careful and not to repeat such instances in future.
As a result, the Naidu government directed that the planning department reinstate him into service as assistant secretary.
Further, the period of the suspension of Srinivas from September 29, 2023 to August 6, 2024 is hereby regularize the period as 'on duty'.