Jayesh Ranjan’s VRS plans spark debate over administration

Hyderabad: Senior IAS officer Jayesh Ranjan’s plans to seek voluntary retirement, with nearly 10 months of service still remaining, have sparked debate in the Secretariat and political circles over the functioning of the Congress government’s administration.

Jayesh Ranjan, who is currently serving as Special Chief Secretary for Hyderabad Metropolitan Area, confirmed that he was planning to apply for voluntary retirement in the coming months.

When Telangana Today approached him about his plans, he said, “Have not applied so far. But will be doing in the coming few months.”

His decision assumes significance against the backdrop of recent administrative reshuffles and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s repeated criticism of the functioning of senior IAS officers.

In December last year, days after the Telangana Rising Global Summit, the State government transferred Jayesh Ranjan as Special Chief Secretary for Metropolitan Area and Urban Development. Earlier, he had served as Chief Secretary and CEO of the Industry and Investment Cell in the Chief Minister’s Office.

Jayesh Ranjan was also among the contenders for the Chief Secretary’s post in June this year. However, the State government chose Sanjay Jaju for the top bureaucratic position.

Following his transfer from the IT and Industries wing, reports emerged that a few companies had shifted their proposed investments to other States. A couple of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) were also learnt to have opted for Andhra Pradesh to establish their units.

With the State government preparing to organise another Global Summit in December, Jayesh Ranjan’s plans for voluntary retirement have fuelled fresh discussions in the Secretariat corridors and political circles.

The development also comes amid Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s criticism of the functioning of IAS officers. On several occasions, he had expressed displeasure over senior officials allegedly failing to step out of their chambers despite specific instructions.

Interestingly, Jayesh Ranjan’s plans come almost a year after another senior IAS officer, Excise Department Principal Secretary SAM Rizvi, applied for voluntary retirement in October last year.

Rizvi’s application had triggered a political controversy after Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao urged the then Chief Secretary to reject his request.

While Rizvi cited personal reasons for seeking voluntary retirement, the Minister accused him of misconduct, disobedience and dereliction of duty.

Nearly a year after that controversy, Jayesh Ranjan’s plans to seek early retirement have once again brought the State government’s handling of senior bureaucrats and its administrative functioning into focus.