ABV assumes charge as Printing Commissioner, retires on same day

Vijayawada : In a peculiar situation, senior IPS officer A B Venkateswara Rao assumed charge as commissioner of printing, stationary and Stores purchase assumed charge on Friday morning and retired in the evening on the same day.

It may be noted that the State government issued orders on Friday for reinstatement of the IPS officer as the central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) lifted the suspension orders on AB Venkateswara Rao and directed the State government for the reinstatement of the officer.

Speaking on the occasion, Venkateswara Rao thanked everyone who had supported him and recalled that earlier he took charge as commissioner in the same office two years ago. Again in the same office, he assumed charge on Friday morning and attained superannuation in the evening. “As a government officer I cannot comment any more on this,” he added.

It may be noted that the YSRCP government suspended A B Venkateswara Rao on the charges of irregularities in purchase of security equipment during the previous TDP regime. When ABV challenged his suspension in CAT, the State government filed petition in the Supreme Court challenging the CAT orders.

However, following the orders of Supreme Court, the State government issued posting orders and later suspended him. The CAT issued orders for reinstatement of ABV on May 8. However the government dodged the issue of his reinstatement and again filed petition on CAT orders in High Court. The HC too ruled in favour of ABV.

ABV handed over the orders of CAT to Chief Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer two days back. The Chief Secretary issued orders for reinstatement of ABV on Thursday.