As Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister designate N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to take over the reins of new State on or after June 2, there is an intense debate in IAS circles about his choices for the top posts in the State Secretariat as well as the Chief Minister’s Office.
Mr. Naidu is learnt to have been considering the names of senior IAS officials I.Y.R. Krishna Rao or I.V. Subba Rao for the post of Chief Secretary while B. Prasada Rao is expected to continue as the Director General of Police of the residuary State of A.P. Though Mr. Naidu is yet to take a final call on the appointment of the Chief Secretary, bureaucratic circles are placing their bet on Dr. Subba Rao for the top post while Mr. Krishna Rao is likely to be given an equally important assignment.
There are a few other names doing rounds for the posts in the CMO, the main being that of N. Ramesh Kumar, 1982 batch officer, whose name is reportedly being considered for the post of Principal Secretary in the CMO. Mr. Ramesh Kumar is presently posted as Principal Secretary to the Governor.
TDP sources said that Mr. Naidu has already sounded the Central government about sending back G. Saiprasad, who was joint managing director of the Transco in Mr. Naidu’s government in the past, to the State. Mr. Saiprasad, presently the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Power, is being tipped to become the Secretary in the CMO overseeing all the important affairs of the energy department.
Another officer Satish Chandra, who was Ranga Reddy district Collector when Mr. Naidu kick-started the development of Cyberabad, is reportedly being called back to the State. Mr. Satish Chandra is presently the Joint Secretary in the Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry. Mr. Naidu is said to be keen on entrusting Finance Department Special Chief Secretary D. Sambasiva Rao with some key responsibility in his peshi.
“A final decision on the composition of the CMO will be taken shortly. Mr. Naidu is busy with several engagements as of now and is likely to visit New Delhi again in a couple of days,” a member of Mr. Naidu’s core team told The Hindu .
