The Telangana government has, for the first time, appointed a non-IAS officer as secretary in charge of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS). It was not done due to magnanimity but because IAS officers were not keen on taking up the post.
The order was issued on Monday placing K. Sarada, joint secretary of the TGSWREIS, in full additional charge of the Secretary, until a new incumbent/regular officer takes over the charge.
So far, the state govt used to appoint a senior IAS, IPS, IFS, or equivalent rank as the TGSWREIS Secretary. IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar, IAS officers Ronald Rose and Dr. E Naveen Nicolas have earlier served as Secretaries of the Society. But Sarada comes from an academic background.
Since December 2023, when the Congress govt came into power in Telangana, six bureaucrats have been posted as the TGSWREIS Secretary. The last one was B Viziendira, who could not continue in the post due to various reasons and went on extended leave till May 15; the government appointed Sarada in between.
One of the main reasons behind appointing Sarada to the post is said to be pushing the centralised purchase of education kits—books, uniforms, stationery, blankets, shoes, and socks—through tenders for all welfare societies and the school education department. Previously, each institution conducted its own tenders at the district level through collectors and made purchases.
The state govt released the tender for 24 items worth Rs. 880 crore for the academic year 2026–27. As per reports, the selection of agencies for seven categories has already been completed.
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