Telangana and Andhra Pradesh row over National Academy of Construction intensifies

Hyderabad: The tussle between the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments over the National Academy of Construction (NAC) intensified with the latest orders issued by both governments. The Telangana director general of NAC, Bhikshapathi issued orders transferring additional director general of NAC Sitapathi Rao and directors P. Jaya Prakash and Wilson to Rajahmundry. Following which the Andhra Pradesh director general of NAC and AP government Roads and Buildings Principal Secretary B. Sam Bob issued orders cancelling the Telangana director general’s transfer orders.

The friction between the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments began soon after Mr Bhikshapathi was appointed the director general of NAC by the Telangana government. Andhra Pradesh government appointed IAS officer B. Sam Bob as director general of NAC. When Mr Sam Bob went to NAC to assume charge he was not allowed to enter the NAC premises. Telangana director general has taken charge of all the records and funds worth Rs 25 crore of the NAC. Around 400 employees of NAC have not received salaries for the last two months.

Meanwhile, the Telangana director general transferred an additional director general and two directors to Rajahmundry and locked their office rooms at the NAC. They complained to the Andhra Pradesh government who immediately issued orders cancelling their transfers. Now the three officers of NAC are reporting at Secretariat.

AP director general of NAC B. Sam Bob told this newspaper that Andhra Pradesh government had released some advance to pay the salaries to employees and had informed the Telangana government that after final division of NAC the amount should be reimbursed to the Andhra Pradesh government.