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Telangana IAS Officers Challenge Allocation
Telangana IAS Officers Challenge Cadre Allocation
Telangana Officers Challenge Cadre Allocation in Court
Hyderabad: Four Telangana IAS officers—Vakati Karuna, Vani Prasad, Amrapali Kata, and Srijana Gummalla—have taken legal action against the Department of Personnel and Training’s (DoPT) decision to assign them to the Andhra Pradesh cadre. These officers filed petitions with the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on Monday, October 14, aiming to stay in service within Telangana. The cases will be heard on Tuesday, reflecting the officers’ determination to challenge their reassignment.
Petition Filed Against DoPT’s Decision
Each of the four Telangana IAS officers has individually contested the DoPT’s decision in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). Their petitions focus on challenging the reassignment to Andhra Pradesh and assert their preference to continue serving in Telangana. The officers’ legal move comes after a series of discussions and strategic planning with Telangana officials, showcasing their united stance against the cadre allocation.
Meeting with Telangana Chief Secretary
Before filing their petitions, three of the officers, including Vani Prasad, Vakati Karuna, and Amrapali Kata, met with Telangana Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari. The meeting took place at the Dr. BR Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat. During these discussions, the officers explored their legal options and decided to appeal to the CAT. The meeting highlighted the seriousness of the issue, with the officers seeking support from state authorities to retain their positions within Telangana.
Background: DoPT’s Rejection of Telangana’s Request
This petition follows the DoPT’s recent decision to deny the request of 11 IAS officers to remain in the Telangana cadre. Among those affected were senior officers like Vani Prasad, Vakati Karuna, Ronald Rose, Amrapali Kata, and Prashanthi, who had been serving in Telangana for years. The denial of their request has sparked dissatisfaction among the affected officers, leading to the recent legal actions to challenge the cadre reallocation.
Reassignment of Other Cadre Officers
In addition to the IAS officers, certain officers from the IPS cadre were also reassigned by the DoPT. Anjani Kumar, Abhilash Bist, and Abhishek Mahanthi, who were previously serving in Telangana, have been reassigned to the Andhra Pradesh cadre. The reallocation of All India Service officers between the two states has continued to be a contentious issue, reflecting the challenges of maintaining equitable distribution post-bifurcation.
High Court’s Directive for Reconsideration
The ongoing cadre allocation dispute can be traced back to a significant ruling by the Telangana High Court on January 3, 2024. The court mandated that the allocation of All India Services (AIS) officers between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh should be reconsidered, based on guidelines from the Pratyush Sinha committee. This ruling prompted the DoPT to establish the Khandekar committee in March 2024 to review and finalize the cadre allocations, aiming to address the concerns of officers serving in both states.
Impact of the Somesh Kumar Case
The legal battles over cadre allocation intensified after the DoPT’s decision in January of the previous year, which led to the removal of Somesh Kumar, then Telangana Chief Secretary. The Telangana High Court had annulled his allocation to the Telangana cadre, overturning a 2016 Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) decision that had allowed him to remain in the state. Following this setback, Somesh Kumar, a 1989 batch IAS officer, opted for voluntary retirement. His case has since become a pivotal example in the debate over cadre allocation fairness between the two states.
Future Implications of the Tribunal’s Decision
The outcome of the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) hearing on Tuesday could set a precedent for other officers in similar positions. The four Telangana IAS officers are seeking to retain their positions in the state and challenge the decisions that they feel disregard their service preferences. If successful, their petitions could influence future cadre allocation processes and ensure a more balanced approach to officer assignments between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information and legal proceedings. The content is provided for informational purposes and should not be considered legal advice. The outcomes of the tribunal hearings may change as further developments occur.
