Senior Bureaucrat K Vijayanand to Continue in Key Role After Retirement
In a significant administrative development in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, who is scheduled to retire on January 31 after completing his three-month extended term, is set to be reappointed as ex-officio special chief secretary to the state government. This move underscores the government's reliance on experienced hands to manage crucial portfolios.
Leadership Transition and Continuity
G Sai Prasad, a 1991-batch IAS officer currently serving as the revenue and water resources special chief secretary, will assume the role of the next chief secretary following Vijayanand's retirement this Saturday. Sources indicate that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to retain Vijayanand's services in the ex-officio cadre for an additional year, highlighting his indispensable expertise.
Vijayanand is also expected to continue heading the energy department as a special chief secretary. Notably, the state government did not replace him from this critical energy wing even after his promotion to chief secretary last year. It is uncommon for regular chief secretaries to hold additional key portfolios like energy, making this arrangement particularly noteworthy.
Rationale Behind the Decision
The decision to extend Vijayanand's tenure is reportedly driven by his extensive experience in executing energy projects and his pivotal role in attracting major green energy investments to Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Naidu's move aims to leverage this expertise for another year, ensuring continuity in strategic initiatives.
Broader Administrative Shifts
In related bureaucratic adjustments, another special chief secretary rank officer, MT Krishna Babu, is likely to be appointed as the full additional charge of managing director and vice-chairman of APSRTC. This change coincides with the end of the term of the incumbent MD, retired DGP Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, on Saturday.
The reliance on retired bureaucrats is partly attributed to a shortage of senior-level officers in the state administration. For instance:
- Special Chief Secretary B Rajasekhar, who retired last year, was granted an extension and continues to oversee the agriculture, horticulture, and marketing departments.
- Similarly, Dr Hari Jawaharlal received an extension and was posted as the endowments secretary.
These extensions reflect a strategic approach to maintaining stability and expertise in key governmental functions amidst administrative challenges.
