With the extended term of Andhra Pradesh chief secretary Adityanath Das coming to an end by September, speculations over the new chief secretary have started doing rounds in the media circles.
Adityanath Das completed his term on attaining the age of superannuation by June end and the department of personnel and training (DOPT) of the Central government has given him extension of service for three months on the request of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
So, the term of Das will come to an end by September end and if Jagan Mohan Reddy is interested, he will write to the Centre seeking extension of the term of the present chief secretary by another three months.
However, there are reports that Jagan might not seek extension of service of Das but would go in for the appointment of a new chief secretary.
At present, senior-most among the chief secretary-rank IAS officers of Andhra cadre is Ajay Sawhney, who is presently in the central services on deputation.
Ajay Sawhney, who is husband of former chief secretary and present state election commissioner Neelam Sawhney, is said to be interested in returning to the state services, provided he is given the chief secretary post.
He had earlier served as principal secretary in the CMO, when Chandrababu Naidu was the chief minister in 2014. Later, he opted for central services.
There is another senior IAS officer Sameer Sharma of 1985 batch, who returned from Delhi to the state services recently at the request of the chief minister. He might get the chance if Jagan wants to give it.
There are two other senior IAS officers of CS rank – Reddy Subrahmanyam and Satish Chandra, but both are unlikely to get the elevation, as they are said to be close to Naidu during his tenure. The name of Neerabh Kumar Prasad of 1987 batch is also being heard in the power corridors.
However, there is a strong rumour that Jagan might prefer senior IAS officer Y Srilakshmi of 1988 batch as the next chief secretary. She had been in the CBI cases related to Jagan and Gali Janardhan Reddy and had even served imprisonment.
Though she was in the Telangana cadre, Jagan managed to get her transferred to Andhra cadre last year and gave her quick promotions. She is now the special chief secretary rank officer.
“If there are no legal hurdles for her appointment, Jagan might prefer her as the next CS,” a source in the AP government said.
However, if Jagan doesn’t want to face any legal issues, he might prefer as Neerabh Kumar Prasad or Sameer Sharma, the source added.