Vijayawada: The Protocol department of the state government landed in a controversy, following the non-payment of remuneration to the staff members working for the office of special representative to Go AP in the USA.
The department has reportedly failed to provide the accomodation also to the office of special representative here in the capital city. In fact, they have placed a representation to the protocol department to provide them office either at Velagapudi or at Vijayawada, for which there was no encouraging response.
However, special representative Komati Jayaram and his team have been extending their support to the Go AP in the programmes which they have designed for the benefit of school-going children, anganwadis and beautification of burial grounds in identified areas of the state.
In fact, Mr Jayaram, on his appointment as special representative to GoAP in the USA, was given one-plus-one staff facility by the protocol department.
However, he has reportedly sought additional staff to carry out his operations in the state, according to additional secretary (protocol) Lt Col. M. Ashok Babu. But, for the last few months there was no procedural communication with the protocol department from either Mr Jayaram or his team members, according to Mr Ashok Babu.
“Just a few days ago I saw the personal secretary to Mr Jayaram, as he was here in my office to share the information related to SR’s office staff and their requirements here in the capital Amaravati,” the additional secretaty told this correspondent.
In fact, Mr Jayaram was given an office accomodation in the Lake View Guest House at Hyderabad during the initial days. However, after the shifting, the protocol department did not provide accomodation to Mr Jayaram’s office, citing the reasons that they did not follow up their matter in a proper and procedural manner.
Since the additional requirement of staff members needs to get clearance from the finance department, the file has been sent to the department four days ago, according to Mr Ashok Babu. When asked about the earlier representation submitted by Mr Jayaram’s office over the remuneration and other staff requirements, he said he has no knowledge about that. However, the additional secretary has clarified that the remuneration would be paid once they get clearance from the finance department.
