Hyderabad – Recent appointments in Telangana have sparked widespread debate, with growing concerns that the state is becoming a “rehabilitation center” for officials and Congress party leaders from neighboring Andhra Pradesh. These concerns have gained traction following a series of government and party appointments that have raised eyebrows among various sections of society.
The most recent controversy surrounds the appointment of Anila Vavilla as Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TGREDCO) on Tuesday. Social media buzz suggests that Vavilla hails from Ananthapuram, Andhra Pradesh, leading to discontent among senior officials within the department who reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over her appointment.
This incident is not an isolated one. The earlier appointment of retired IAS officer and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, Adityanath Das, as an Advisor to the Telangana government for Irrigation and Water Resources, had already triggered significant uproar. Das, who headed the irrigation department in the undivided Andhra Pradesh and later became the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh after the state’s bifurcation, played a key role in issues concerning the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB). His appointment in Telangana, considering his past involvement in river water sharing disputes from Andhra Pradesh’s perspective, has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Adding to the controversy, retired IAS officer Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar’s appointment as Director-General of the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) has also sparked discussions. Kumar, who served as Special Chief Secretary to the Governor of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, later took on the role of State Election Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh post-retirement. His new role at ASCI, a central government institution, has drawn mixed reactions.
The trend extends to party appointments as well. Yadavalli Venkat Swamy, an Andhra Pradesh native, was recently appointed as the president of the Telangana wing of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). This decision faced opposition within the Congress party itself, with student unions affiliated with the party demanding that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy cancel Swamy’s appointment and instead select a candidate from Telangana. Swamy’s appointment was formalized on August 13, fueling further dissatisfaction.
The discontent over these appointments has historical roots. In February, BRS MLC K. Kavitha objected to the appointment of an Andhra Pradesh native under the compassionate appointment scheme for jobs meant for Telangana residents. A Raghunath Reddy, originally from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, was given a position in the Municipal Administration and Urban Development department, sparking demands for corrective action.
Another notable appointment occurred in January when Central services officer Suryadevara Prasanna Kumar was named Advisor to the Telangana State Legislature Secretariat. His role involved assisting Legislative Council Chairman G. Sukhender Reddy and Speaker G. Prasad Kumar in legislative matters. However, by July, Prasanna Kumar was appointed Secretary General of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature, raising questions about the frequent cross-border appointments.
As these appointments continue to draw scrutiny, the debate over Telangana’s governance and its relationship with Andhra Pradesh officials and leaders shows no signs of abating.
