The Telangana government transferred senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal on Sunday, along with 19 others, days after she was questioned by police for resharing an AI-generated Ghibli image related to a land dispute near Hyderabad Central University. The image highlighted concerns about the cutting of trees on 400 acres of land.
Officer Summoned Over AI-Generated Image
Ms. Sabharwal, a 2001-batch IAS officer, recently appeared before Cyberabad police after sharing the AI-generated image. Responding to the investigation, she questioned the authorities’ approach, saying she was “selectively targeted.” She asked, “Was the same action initiated against 2,000 individuals who reshared the same post?”
Previously serving as Special Chief Secretary for Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture (YAT&C) and Director of Archaeology, Ms. Sabharwal has now been reassigned as Member Secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission. Notably, this is the same position she held before her transfer to the YAT&C department in November 2024.
Changes Follow Political Transition in State
Under the earlier BRS government, Ms. Sabharwal was a prominent figure as the Secretary to the Chief Minister. After the Congress assumed power, she was shifted out of the Chief Minister’s Office and reassigned to her previous role.
Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle
Other high-profile transfers included:
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Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of ITE&C and Sports Department, was posted as Special Chief Secretary and CEO, Industry & Investment Cell at the CMO and SPEED. He also received additional charge of the Special Chief Secretary role in the YAT&C Department and Director of Archaeology.
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Sanjay Kumar, Special Chief Secretary of Labour, Employment, Training & Factories (LET&F) Department, was transferred to lead the Industries & Commerce Department along with ITE&C and Sports.
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Dr. Shashank Goel, Director General of Dr. MCR HRD Institute, has been appointed Vice Chairman of the Centre for Good Governance. He will also take full additional charge as Director General of EPTRI, relieving Ahmad Nadeem.
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M. Dana Kishore, formerly Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department, now serves as Principal Secretary of the LET&F Department. He retains full additional charges, including Principal Secretary to the Governor and roles in Labour, Insurance Medical Services, and Employment & Training sectors.
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Ilambarithi K., previously Commissioner of GHMC, has been assigned as Secretary of the Metropolitan Area & Urban Development Department, covering the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits.
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RV Karnan, Director of Health and Family Welfare, has been appointed the new Commissioner of GHMC.
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TK Sreedevi, Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, will now serve as Secretary for Municipal Administration outside HMDA limits while continuing her current responsibilities outside the Outer Ring Road (ORR) area.
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EV Narsimha Reddy, Director of School Education, has been made Additional CEO of the Industry & Investment Cell and SPEED. He will also take additional charge as Managing Director of the Musi River Development Corporation Ltd (MRDCL), relieving Dana Kishore.
Administrative Moves Reflect Ongoing Reorganization
The wide-scale reshuffle signals Telangana’s efforts to realign its administrative structure under the new government leadership. While officials say the reshuffle aims to strengthen governance, the timing of Ms. Sabharwal’s transfer amid the Hyderabad land row controversy has drawn public attention.
