Rift between special officer, GVMC chief divides staff

The game of one-upmanship between special officer Lav Agarwal and GVMC commissioner B.

Ramanjaneyulu has taken an ugly turn with the vertical split in the Corporation officials.

One group, supported by senior minister from the district K Bala Raju, is loyal to Agarwal, while the other supported by another minister Ganta Srinivas is siding with Ramanjaneyulu.

 According to sources, Ramanjaneyulu is not happy with the appointment of his junior and district collector Lav Agarwal as special officer to the GVMC.

 It is common knowledge that cold war existed between Ramanjaneyulu and Agarwal from the day the latter had assumed charge as special officer.

 Minister for investments and infrastructure Ganta Srinivasa Rao tried his best to pacify the sparring bureaucrats on two earlier occasions but in vain.

 The differences between the two officers came to the fore on the Independence Day when the commissioner wanted to hoist the National Flag.

 He had to change his decision as the special officer informed the GVMC administration that he would attend the flag-hoisting ceremony before participating in the main function of the district administration.

 A senior MLA told Express that both the officers would be shifted in the upcoming reshuffle before the Assembly session.

 Already, the chief minister was also aware of the issue.

 Taking advantage of the feud between the two senior IAS men, the Hinduja’s Thermal Power Plant, has failed to act despite the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) asking it to submit a report on the status of work in a week’s time during a review meeting recently.

 Meanwhile, chief secretary to the government Mini Mathews is said to be keenly watching developments.