Major reshuffle of IAS, IPS officers in Andhra Pradesh

AMRAVATI: In the first major rejig of the state administration since Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy became Chief Minister, the Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday night transferred several IAS and IPS officers.nnIn all, 49 IAS and six IPS were transferred in the reshuffle.nnIAS officers who enjoyed key posts during the five-year tenure of Chandrababu Naidu, including his Special Chief Secretary Satish Chandra, have been left out without any posting for the time being.nnAdityanath Das, who was Irrigation Secretary during late Y S Rajasekhara Reddys tenure, has been brought back to the Water Resources Department as Special Chief Secretary.nnJagan has announced that completion of irrigation projects, particularly the Polavaram multipurpose project, in a time-bound manner would be one of his top priorities besides to continue the ambitious Jalayagnam programme initiated by his late father.nnOfficial source said K S Jawahar Reddy has been made Principal Secretary, Health.nnThis is another key department that the new Chief Minister declared as his foremost priority since the Aarogya Sri health insurance scheme launched by late YSR secured a permanent place for him in the hearts of the people.nnJagan wants to continue his fathers legacy in these two critical departments and seal a place for himself as well in the peoples hearts, according to party sources.nnThe two IAS officers, known to be very upright and effective, have hence been posted to head these departments.nnTwo other senior officers Rajat Bhargava and M T Krishna Babu have also been given key postings as head of Industries and Infrastructure and Roads and Buildings respectively.nnThese two infrastructure departments are vital growth engines for the state economy and accordingly highly-ranked officers have been chosen to head them, official sources said.nnCollectors of seven districts were also shifted in the exercise that was carried out by the Chief Minister in consultation with his advisors Ajeya Kallam, M Samuel (retired IAS officers) and Chief Secretary L V Subrahmanyam.nnIPS officer K R M Kishore Kumar has been made the new Principal Secretary of Home Department.nnAnother IPS officer P Sitharama Anjaneyulu, who returned to the state from Central deputation, has been posted as Transport Commissioner.nnAdditional DGP-rank officer K V Rajendranath Reddy has been posted as Director General of Vigilance and Enforcement Department.nnDamodar Gautam Sawang, who last week was given full additional charge of Director General of Police (Head of Police Force), has been posted as Chairman of AP Road Safety Authority.nnChief Secretary L V Subrahmanyam, in the Government Order, said Sawang will continue to hold charge as DGP (HoPF).nnSource: Press Trust of India