Somesh Kumar meets AP CM

Vijayawada: Following a protracted legal interpretation of Section 80 of Reorganisation Act, under which IAS officers were allotted Andhra Pradesh and Telangana cadres, Somesh Kumar after getting relieved from the post of Chief Secretary of neighbouring State, reported to the AP Government.

On the order of Telangana High Court division bench comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Judge Justice S Nanda, he was relieved of his responsibilities as the Chief Secretary of Telangana and asked to report to Andhra Pradesh by Thursday. Complying with the court order, Somesh Kumar called on AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and said he was duty-bound to serve in any post assigned to him by the State Government. He said there were no small and big posts and all posts assigned to IAS officers had equal responsibility.

As soon as the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued orders relieving the 1989 batch officer, the Telangana Government appointed Santhi Kumari as his successor. She was sworn in immediately.

Somesh Kumar was allocated Telangana cadre after he challenged his posting in AP on a recommendation of an advisory committee as per the Reorganisation Act. The High Court quashed the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) order dated March 29, 2016 to retain Somesh Kumar in Telangana for eight years post-bifurcation.

DoPTC had challenged the order saying it was contrary to the provisions of Section 80 of Reorganisation Act of 2014, Indian Administrative Services Rules and All India Services Rules. In its judgement, the Telangana High Court held the view that the CAT had grossly erred in the interpretation of the laws of the land and relevant rules by allocating Somesh Kumar Telangana cadre though the advisory committee recommended his posting in AP.

On his arrival at Amaravati, Somesh Kumar also met Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Dr KS Jawahar Reddy. After the court order, there is speculation on change in equations among bureaucrats after his posting in the State.