The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : TTD EO defends action

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Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

TTD EO defends action

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The suspension of three senior officials and termination of services of ‘Parapathyedar’ (officer on special duty) of the TTD on Monday in the two-year-old case of ‘missing gold dollars’ may have raised the hackles of employees’ unions, but some felt the disciplinary action was necessary to plug the procedural lapses.

“It may be seen as a harsh decision but as the head of the institution, it’s my responsibility to initiate action against those whose negligence of duty was confirmed in the inquiry report submitted by our Chief Vigilance and Security Officer”, TTD Executive Officer K.V. Ramanachari told The Hindu.

Asked whether the inquiry report clearly indicted the officials, Mr. Ramanachari said “it is for the decision-making authority to study the report, come to a conclusion and take suitable action. It is a conscious decision taken to protect the sanctity of the temple and restore the confidence and faith of the devotees,” he added.

However, it is for the Appellate Authority to take a final view, he added.

But there were others who said the action against N. Seshadri, OSD, R.Prabhakar Reddy, A. Vasudevan, deputy executive officers and E. Ramachandra Reddy,

Superintendent was “uncalled for” since Venkatachalapathi, a clerk, was arrested after he confessed to the crime.

Delegation meets YSR

A delegation of the TTD Employees Association met Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and urged him reinstate the officials. In a memorandum, the association said the TTD vigilance wing as well as the CID investigated the case of missing dollars two years ago and submitted their reports.

The probe did not find fault with any of the three officials suspended, but action was now taken on them against rules and the connected file was not referred to Devasthanams’ law officer.

The TTD management took a hasty decision under pressure from some of the “policy-makers” of the TTD and “influential archakas”.

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