Andhra Pradesh

When the EC planned action against CS

HYDERABAD: The Election Commission, at one stage last week, is understood to have contemplated drastic action against Chief Secretary P. Ramakanth Reddy himself for issuing a controversial order to officials.

According to sources, the Commission finally took a lenient view after he withdrew the order and tendered a written apology to it.

Through the order, Mr. Reddy directed the officials, including the Chief Electoral Officer, to route through him any correspondence addressed to the Election Commission seeking permission to continue implementation of schemes and projects.

The Commission viewed the order as a serious infringement on its independence as a Constitutional body, as the election officials were sought to be treated as part of the Government but not as an extension of the Election Commission.

The EC was not satisfied when the Chief Secretary gave an oral apology during a meeting with CEC N. Gopalaswami on Saturday and insisted that he put it down in writing.

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