Neelam To Be Jagan's New Principal Advisor

[Anta Assamey]

Outgoing chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh Neelam Sawhney, who proved her utmost loyalty to YSR Congress party president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy during her tenure, has got the reward from the boss.

Neelam, who would be stepping down from her post on December 31, when her two-month extension period as the chief secretary comes to an end, has been taken back into the service as Principal Advisor to the chief minister.

She will be enjoying the rank of a cabinet minister soon after her appointment. It is not exactly known whether she will replace existing principal advisor Ajeya Kallam or will be a second principal advisor to Jagan.

The order says Neelam will look after the subject of health and Covid-19 management, Centre-State relations and bifurcation issues, administrative reforms Including the strengthening of Village/Ward Secretariats.

She will also take care of other ionstitutions at various levels in the district, district reorganisation, land resurvey and titling act etc.

She will also take up subjects/projects as allocated by the Hon'ble Chief Minister from time to time, the order said, adding that notification of her terms of appointment will be issued separately.

It may be recalled that Neelam who was on central deputation returned to Andhra on the insistence of Jagan, after her predecessor L V Subrahmanyam was removed from the chief secretary post. 

She actually retired on June 30, but was given extension twice by the Centre, on special request from Jagan. She delivered her duties strictly as per the orders of Jagan on various issues.