Hyderabad: Senior IAS Officer S.A.M. Rizvi Seeks Voluntary Retirement After Rift with Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao
Senior bureaucrat S.A.M. Rizvi, serving as Principal Secretary (Revenue – Commercial Taxes and Excise) in Telangana, has applied for voluntary retirement (VRS), reportedly following an escalating conflict with Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao.
A 1999-batch IAS officer, Rizvi has held several crucial posts in the Telangana administration and took charge as Principal Secretary in the Revenue Department about a year ago. His abrupt decision to step down has caused a stir within bureaucratic circles, particularly because he still had nearly ten years left in service.
Minister’s Complaints to the Chief Secretary
As per government insiders, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao had repeatedly complained to Chief Secretary K. Rama Krishna Rao against Rizvi, accusing him of insubordination, breach of service protocol, and disregard for ministerial instructions.
In his most recent letter dated October 11, the minister is said to have requested the Chief Secretary to reject Rizvi’s VRS application and instead initiate disciplinary proceedings against him for alleged misconduct.
According to documents reviewed by The Times of India, the minister had earlier — in December 2024 — submitted a detailed letter raising concerns over delays and procedural lapses in the functioning of the excise department under Rizvi’s charge.
Specific Allegations Against Rizvi
In his communications, the minister listed 11 key issues alleging administrative negligence and lack of cooperation. These included:
Not processing holographic label tender files despite multiple directives.
Ignoring instructions to refer certain matters to the expert committee.
Failing to act on complaints from the Bars Association and A4 Liquor Shops Association.
Forwarding important documents directly to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) instead of the minister.
Disregarding orders related to Letters of Intent (LOI) under the Telangana Distillery (Manufacture of Spirits) Rules.
The minister further cited several specific cases — including BKR Hotels, Chitty Srujan, Capricorn Blenders Pvt Ltd, Allied Blenders and Distillers (ABD) Ltd, Blueseal Winery, and Empsee Distillery — alleging deliberate delays and administrative hurdles created by Rizvi.
Minister Claims Obstruction in Governance
In his complaint, Jupally Krishna Rao stated that Rizvi’s conduct had “impeded the smooth functioning of the excise department and restricted the minister’s ability to perform his duties effectively.”
He accused the IAS officer of withholding clearances and delaying policy-related decisions, leading to administrative gridlock in crucial departmental matters.
Rizvi’s Silence and Ongoing Review
When approached for comments, Rizvi did not respond to calls or messages seeking clarification on the allegations.
Sources in the Secretariat confirmed that his VRS application is currently under examination by the Chief Secretary, who will take a final call after considering the minister’s objections.
Bureaucratic Circles Taken Aback
Rizvi’s decision has triggered widespread discussion among senior officers in Telangana. Several described the development as “unexpected” and “out of the ordinary”, noting that such disputes are usually resolved through administrative intervention rather than resulting in voluntary retirement.
One senior official observed that “it’s rare for an officer of Rizvi’s seniority to seek VRS over departmental friction,” adding that the situation reflects a serious breakdown in coordination between the political and bureaucratic leadership.
