Row over probe into DEO postings

Vijayawada: There is a huge ongoing controversy about the judicial enquiry ordered into the workings of the HRD department of the government. 

The HRD department is facing severe criticism with allegations of rampant corruption regarding astronomical rates being reportedly charged for preferred postings of DEOs. Rs 10 lakh for postings in Rayalaseema districts, Rs 25 lakh for Nellore, Prakasam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram and Rs 35 lakh  for Visakhapatnam, Godavari districts, Guntur and Krishna districts. Currently, except for Vizianagaram and Nellore, all other districts have ‘in-charge’ or ‘acting’ DEOs.

Following dogged media reports, HRD minister Ganta Srinivas Rao issued a press release on Monday announcing the formation of the Mr T. Ranga Rao committee (headed by Mr Rao, a retired High Court judge) for the judicial enquiry of alleged charges of corruption in the HRD department regarding DEO posting.

This committee formation has already irked critics who feel that how could Mr T Ranga Rao, who is currently working in the HRD department as chairman, Admission and Fee Regulatory committee, AFRC, (constituted by Government of Andhra Pradesh under G.O Ms. No.6 of Higher Education department), be appointed to check on irregularities in his own department. 

In fact, a senior IAS officer working with CMO who did not wish to be named said that it was unfair and wrong to initiate a judiciary enquiry by a person working in the same department. 

He further said that it was ironical that a minister who was himself facing allegations of corruption, could initiate a judicial enquiry. The senior officer also stated that this could adversely affect the party image.