Senior IAS officer and Telangana State Finance Commission Member Secretary Smita Sabharwal has recently taken a six-month childcare leave, creating an uproar in political and official circles. It is reported that she will go on leave from August 1 to January 31. To this end, the state government has issued key orders granting childcare leaves to Smita Sabharwal.
IAS Katyayani Devi has been appointed as the Member Secretary in her place. In the context of the recent discussion of the Justice PC Ghosh Commission report on Kaleshwaram in the Assembly, Smita Sabharwal’s decision to take leave has become a topic of discussion in political circles.
On this occasion, Smita Sabharwal tweeted that she had fallen ill. “For the past few months, I have been recovering from a disease called vertebral artery dissection. It is a very painful process. I will become strong again”, she shared a selfie video in X.
Smita Sabharwal, who played a key role in many key issues including the Kaleshwaram project and maintained high clout during KCR’s regime, has been felt to be sidelined by Revanth Reddy’s government. During KCR’s regime, she was a member of the Chief Minister’s Advisory Committee. She also played a key role in the Mission Bhagiratha project.
However, after the Congress government came to power in the state, her importance decreased. It is known that Smita Sabharwal has been unhappy with the state government’s behavior for some time now. The Revanth government has been giving her non-priority postings. She has also been transferred several times.
First, the government gave Smita a posting as Member Secretary of the State Finance Commission. Later, she was transferred as Secretary of the Youth Development, Tourism & Culture Department. Moreover, in the past, Smita Sabharwal tweeted against the government regarding HCU land row. She has received a lot of criticism in this regard and police recorded her statement also.
Ruling party leaders went to the extent of spreading allegations of corruption against Smita Sabharwal in the Mission Bhagiratha project. She is known for her proactive and people-friendly administration. She received public appreciation wherever she works. She became popular after working as a collector in Karimnagar, Khammam and Mahabubnagar districts.
