Jawahar Reddy likely to be named TTD EO, Anil Kumar Singhal transferred

VIJAYAWADA: In a surprise move, the State government on Wednesday night relieved Anil Kumar Singhal from the post of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer (EO) and posted him as the Principal Secretary (Health, Medical and Family Welfare).

Dr KS Jawahar Reddy, who is now serving as the Special Chief Secretary (Health), is tipped to be appointed as the next TTD EO, sources said. Anil Kumar Singhal, a 1993-batch IAS officer, was posted as the TTD EO by the previous TDP government. Singhal took over the administrative reins of the TTD on May 1, 2017.

His tenure was marked by controversies such as the alleged missing jewels of Lord Venkateswara, hereditary rights of archakas, removal of chief priest AV Ramana Deekshitulu and the more recent proposed auction of temple lands.

The state government on Wednesday issued a GO withdrawing the services of Singhal from the Revenue (Endowments) department and posted him as Principal Secretary to the Government (Health, Medical and Family Welfare).

AV Dharma Reddy, who is presently serving as the Additional Executive Officer, Tirumala, will hold Full Additional Charge (FAC) of the post of TTD EO until further orders.