At a time when there were rumours in a section of media that Andhra Pradesh chief secretary Neelam Sawhney is desperately trying to go on leave before her retirement, chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy sprang a surprise by seeking an extension of her services.
Jagan on Wednesday wrote to the Central government asking for a six-month extension for Neelam Sawhney who is going to retire on June 30. Though she still has one-and-a-months service, Jagan reacted well in advance and requested for her extensions.
Jagan brought to the notice of the Centre that it was hardly six months since Neelam Sawhney had taken charge as the chief secretary and it would be useful to the state if she gets an extension.
Though it is too early to say whether the Centre would entertain Jagan’s request, one doubts whether it would be accepted at all. In the last two instances, the Modi government did not entertain the state government’s plea for extension of chief secretary’s tenure.
During the Chandrababu Naidu’s regime, he sought extension of the term of two chief secretaries – first that of IYR Krishna Rao and later Ajeya Kallam. On both the occasions, the Centre rejected his pleas.
However, in the recent past, the Centre extended the services of several retiring IAS officers including Andhra-cadre IAS officer Preeti Sudan, keeping in view Coronavirus situation.
So, there is a possibility of the Centre accepting Jagan’s request!
