Storm Brews After Appointment Of Another Addl CEO At CEO’s Office
Officials alleged that the appointment did not comply with the General Administration Department guidelines: Reports
HYDERABAD: The appointment of additional secretary N. Shankar as additional chief electoral officer, a non-cadre post, with the approval of the Election Commission of India, has raised objections within the Telangana CEO's office over alleged violations of the prescribed appointment procedure.
Officials have questioned the appointment, alleging that it was made without obtaining approval from the Chief Minister's Office and following the procedure for recommending candidates to the ECI.
IAS officer Vasam Venkateswar Reddy is currently serving as additional CEO. Shankar was promoted to the rank of additional secretary in 2015 and continued in that position until the post was redesignated as additional CEO (non-cadre).
Officials alleged that the appointment did not comply with the General Administration Department guidelines, which require the state government to recommend a panel of three names with the approval of the CMO and the Chief Secretary.
“The mode of appointment is irregular. This did not follow the recommendations for three names. It is purely and solely a decision by the Chief Electoral Officer and not from the state government,” sources told Deccan Chronicle.
Under the prescribed procedure, the Chief Secretary forwards a panel of three candidates to the ECI after obtaining CMO approval. The commission scrutinises the recommendations, selects one of the candidates and communicates its decision to the Chief Secretary. The Chief Secretary subsequently conveys the selection to the CEO, who appoints the candidate to the post.
“The additional CEO is a cadre post (IAS). Even if a non-cadre person was chosen, three names should be included as panel recommendation. For filling up the vacancy of deputy CEO, joint CEO and additional CEO, it is mandatory that three names are forwarded,” the sources added.
According to the Central government's Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Telangana government created a non-cadre additional CEO post through G.O.Ms.No.150, dated September 12, 2018. The Telangana GAD also issued G.O.Ms.No.18, which was republished in the Telangana Gazette on February 6, 2026.
