Hyderabad: The TS government on Wednesday transferred T. Padmavathi, an “AP origin” woman employee who was working as personal secretary to finance secretary Navin Mittal. She was allotted to TS as part of bifurcation of employees between AP and TS. TS employees had staged a flash demonstration, demanding her repatriation to AP. They stormed into her chambers, threw files and papers kept on the table, switched off her computer and forced Ms Padmavathi to leave the office.

They sat on dharna in front of Mr Mittal’s chambers in the Secretariat and raised slogans against allotment of AP employees to TS. The TS employees alleged that Ms Padmavathi was harassing TS staff and obstructing their promotions in the finance department. They also accused her of securing posting in TS on “spousal grounds” against the norms, though she was originally allocated to AP cadre earlier.

Bowing to the pressure, the government transferred Ms Padmavathi and appointed her as PS to finance advisor G.R. Reddy with immediate effect. TS employees also protested and complained against her on Tuesday, demanding her repatriation. As there was no response, they resorted to flash demonstration on Wednesday.

The employees also met special secretary, finance, K. Ramakrishna Rao and lodged a complaint against Ms Padmavathi. Later, Mr Mittal invited TS staff for talks in vain. The employees were adamant that they would not come for talks unless she was transferred. “She harassed TS staff and not allowing us to meet senior officials. She bluntly refused our requests for appointment with senior officials. She threw our petitions into the dustbin and did not forward them to senior officials. She blocked all our petitions written to top officials on postings and promotions. She is now trying to get promoted as assistant secretary. We will oppose this and demand her repatriation to AP,” said N. Mangamma, TS finance employee.

However, Ms Padmavathi refuted these allegations. “I never denied appointment of senior officials to anyone. I am ready to face any inquiry and if proven guilty, I am ready to quit my job,” she said.

[Source: Dacan Chronicle]