Hyderabad, September 07: It may perhaps be attributed to the partiality of the rulers or the circumstances that during the past sixty years, not a single Muslim was available to occupy the post of the State Chief Secretary. If a Muslim is not appointed as Chief Secretary now Muslim will get a chance to become Chief Secretary for another 20 years from now. After Mr. Mohammed Shafeequzzamman a Muslim IAS officer retires it will or take twenty years for any IAS officer to attain seniority to be eligible to claim this coveted position.
Although a sizeable population of the Muslims is available in A.P. but there is shortage of Muslim IAS officers. The post of Chief Secretary commands the highest position in the Executive. To occupy this position is an honour for any person. If a person belonging to a Minority Community reaches that position, it is a matter of pride for that community. There are some affairs the credit of which goes to very few rulers. Although many Chief Ministers of the state were very friendly to the Muslim Community and they had sympathetic attitude toward the Muslims but the former Chief Minister of A.P. Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has occupied a prominent place in the hearts of the Muslims by providing 4% reservations to them.
The present Chief Minister is also known as the Minority-friendly Chief Minister. He has got an opportunity to write a new history if he appoints a Muslim Chief Secretary by using his discretion. The authorities won’t get such an opportunity for the next 20 years to do so. He will be performing a good deed which may perhaps be remembered for another 80 years to come.
The present Chief Secretary is on the verge of retirement. There are five senior IAS officers who are in the race to occupy this coveted position. The name of Mr. Mohammed Shafeequzzaman is on the top of the list. He has only two years to retire. The Chief Minister has the discretion to select an officer from the five senior IAS officers for this post.
As per rules the Govt. can have five IAS officers of the cadre of Chief Secretary. Out of the top five IAS officers 2-3 officers have spent a considerable period of their was suspended in the past. In this way Mr. Pankaj Dwivedi is the only senior IAS officer who can compete with Mr. Mohammed Shafeequzzaman.
In the context of the recent movement against corruption, the selection of Mr. Mohammed Shafeequzzaman could prove to be a right step because he is famous as an honest officer. It is a well known fact that he is an expert in executive skills. To whichever department he was posted, he elevated its status by his style of functioning. If an honest officer is appointed to the post of Chief Secretary, he will be in a position to advise the Govt. in the right direction.
He won’t perform any such act which may create difficulties for the Govt. Mr. Shafeequzzaman has excellent talents. He is a law graduate also. It is another thing that he has knocked the door of the court against the injustice meted out to him for which he has a right also. In other matters, he did not indulge in conflict with the Govt.
He has not wished for any favourite post during his service. If he is appointed Chief Secretary, he will be the first Muslim Chief Secretary of the state. By taking such a step, the Govt of A.P. would send positive signal and the feelings to the Muslim Community in the State. If the Govt. appoints him to this coveted position not only the Muslims in A.P. but in the entire country the Muslim intellectuals would deem it with a lot of appreciation.
Since he does not belong to A.P. state, people will not attribute motives for appointing a person from this region. The other important executive positions in the state are occupied by Non-Telangana personnel.
——Siasat News