The general practice is that the All India Service officers will get benefits from the state government wherever they work. Respective state government has to pay him wages, medical expenses and retirement benefits.
But surprisingly, retired IAS officer Somesh Kumar, even without working for an hour in the state, has been drawing his benefits from the AP government. He was former chief secretary of Telangana government and took VRS when he was forced to go back to AP, for which he was originally allotted.
Those who are in All India service will get benefits from the state government wherever they work. Wages, medical expenses, retirement benefits are to be paid by the concerned state. However, the AP government had to provide medical expenses and other benefits to him. Recently, the AP government has sanctioned medical reimbursement bills of Rs.3 lakh to Somesh Kumar. GAD Political Secretary Suresh Kumar issued orders to this effect.
But, in reality, Someshkumar did not work for a single hour in the bifurcated AP. During the bifurcation of the state, Somesh Kumar was assigned to AP. However, he continued in Telangana defying the orders of the DPO. With the blessings of the then Telangana government leaders, he worked as the chief secretary of that state government.
However, this case became controversial and went to the High Court. The Telangana High Court, which heard the petitions, issued clear orders that Somesh Kumar, who was appointed to the AP cadre, had to leave the state. With this, he reported to the then YCP government in January 2023. After that, within a few days, he took voluntary retirement (VRS) and left.
He did not work in AP even for a single hour. As soon as he applied for VRS, the then Jagan government approved it in moments. The very next day he was appointed as an advisor to the Telangana government. It is astonishing that the AP government is paying lakhs of rupees of public money to such Somesh Kumar. Similarly, his retirement benefits will also be in lakhs of rupees.
Apart from these, pension and other benefits are to be given in AP only. Moreover, after retirement for one year they should not hold any responsibility that yields them financial benefits. Whereas, Somesh Kumar became Advisor to Telangana government with very attractive salary and benefits. Government is empowered to take disciplinary action against him. But, AP government employees wonder if he is being crowned with retirement benefits.
