CM extends Sadaram’s term amid controversy

Hyderabad: Amidst a controversy over the functioning of Telangana Legislature Secretary Dr S. Raja Sadaram, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao decided to extend his services by one more year. Dr Sadaram was due to retire on Monday. Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, the authority to make appointments as Head of the Legislature, signed the file on Sunday.

The file containing the recommendations of Council Chairman K. Swamy Gowd and Assembly Speaker S. Madhusudana Chary, the Chief Minister and legislative affairs minister T. Harish Rao had earlier reached Raj Bhavan on Sunday.

Congress and TD members had objected to the functioning of Dr Sadaram from time to time, accusing him of being the “mastermind” behind the inordinate delay in taking a decision on the disqualification of MLAs and MLCs who defected to the TRS over the past year.

Mr Rao brushed aside the Opposition charges and decided to extend the services of Dr Sadaram who is known to be thorough in the Constitution, rules and regulations and interpretation of laws that govern the functioning of the Legislature. Sources close to Mr Harish Rao said the decision was taken in view of the crucial Monsoon Session and the disqualification petitions pending before courts.

Sources also pointed out that both the Presiding Officers were new at their jobs, there was no officer to replace Dr Sadaram the TRS would find it difficult without him. Dr Sadaram has been given two extensions, once by Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and once earlier by Mr Chandrasekhar Rao.