Andhra Pradesh state legislature secretary P Balakrishnamacharyulu who stood by the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government during the crucial period of passage of three capitals bill last year, has been rewarded for his loyalty.
The Jagan government on Wednesday re-appointed Balakrishnamacharyulu as the state legislature secretary, though he retired from the service on April 30 on attainment of superannuation.
Orders to this effect were issued by chief secretary Adityanath Das in the afternoon. Balakrishnmacharyulu would continue in the service a for a period of two more years. He would be retiring on April 30, 2023.
The post of state assembly secretary is purely an administrative one and not an honorary one. One has to retire soon after the completion of the age of superannuation. However, if the chief minister uses his discretionary power, he can give extension to any such official.
It may be recalled that Balakrishnamacharyulu played a major role in rejecting the proposal of state legislative council chairman Md Ahmed Sharif to refer the two crucial bills – one forming three capitals for the state and another abolishing the AP Capital Region Development Act (APCRDA) to the select committee.
Despite repeated reminders, Balakrishnamacharyulu firmly put his foot down in turning down Sharif’s proposal, saying the select committee cannot be formed as no proper procedure was followed in the Upper House in this regard.
He did not even succumb to pressures from the chairman who complained to the Governor seeking action against the official.
He remained firm in his loyalty to the government and that fetched him an extension of term as secretary.