Hyderabad: Chandana Khan, a senior IAS officer and special chief secretary to the AP government, had to stage a protest on the road and in further humiliation, was forced to leave after Telangana employees preventing her from entering her office at the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management here.
Ms Khan was forced to vacate the spot by the Telangana police. She said that preventing her from going into the office was “highly objectionable” and differences of opinion should be solved by other means.
Meanwhile, the TS government, after the incident, laid claim on NITHM and chief secretary Rajiv Sharma said that the TS government has posted principal secretary to the government, (tourism and culture of Telangana), as the chairman of the institute. In his capacity, he has also conducted a governing council meeting on August 6, 2014.
Mr Sharma, in a press statement, said, “The previous officer, namely the special chief secretary to the AP Government, cannot continue to be the head of this institute. As per the AP Reorganisation Act 2014, Section 75, the institute is listed at in Schedule 10. The institute is situated in Hyderabad and as per the Act, the institute, which is physically located in Telangana, will be managed by TS where it is located. Its services will also be offered to AP on mutually agreed terms.”
Ms Khan, meanwhile, said, “It is highly objectionable that a senior officer is not allowed to enter the institute where the AP government has a stake. It is a national institute and I have been the chairperson of the institute. Although I am still the chairperson, I was not allowed to enter. Moreover, there can be a difference of opinion but there are offices, courts and a way of dialogue to solve such issues. This is definitely not a way to prevent a senior officer from entering the office.” she said.
