CM K Chandrasekhar Rao’s close aide opts for retirement

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s special secretary P Rajasekhar Reddy has taken voluntary retirement. He had another seven years of service.

The voluntary retirement of Mr Reddy has sparked speculation in the TRS and government circles that Mr Rao will nominate him to the Rajya Sabha.

Mr Reddy, who is of the rank of Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner, was on deputation to the Telangana government since June 2, 2014.

The Human Resource Manager of Employees Provident Fund Organisation in an office order disclosed that Mr Reddy’s request for voluntary retirement was accepted by the competent authority waiving the three months notice period and he has been relieved of his duties with effect from January 31, 2020.

Mr Reddy is close to Chandrasekhar Rao and was his personal secretary when Mr Rao was Union Labour Minister.

After the formation of Telangana and the TRS coming to power, Mr Rao requested the Centre to depute Mr Reddy to Telangana. The rules allow an officer working in the Government of India to be on deputation in his native state for a maximum period of five years.

The Centre had extended Mr Reddy’s term of deputation for two more years in January this year. But opposition parties in Telangana reportedly opposed the extension and complained to the authorities concerned at the Centre.

Sources close to the state government disclosed that this could have led to Mr Reddy deciding to quit the service. Meanwhile, the state government has issued orders appointing Mr Reddy as Officer on Special Duty in the Office of the Chief Minister for a period of four years.