Andhra Pradesh govt promotes nearly 300 ‘tainted’ officials to tehsildar rank amid manpower crisis

Vijayawada: Caught in an acute manpower crisis, the Andhra Pradesh govt has promoted 296 deputy tehsildars (DTs) to the rank of tehsildar, despite most of them reportedly facing corruption charges and disciplinary action.The move comes a day after the govt set aside corruption allegations, ACB cases, and disciplinary proceedings against the officials. It had directed the chief commissioner of land administration (CCLA) to overlook minor charges and proceed with the promotions to ensure smooth delivery of revenue services.Sources said about half of the officials elevated to mandal executive magistrate rank are facing charges. This has triggered debate within official circles, as many of the officials are under inquiry or vigilance watch.The govt has been struggling with a severe shortage of tehsildars for years. Of the sanctioned 688 tehsildar posts, 60% have remained vacant for a decade due to stalled promotions. With only around 300 regular tehsildars in service, most mandals have been running under in‑charge arrangements, affecting land administration, mutation services, grievance redressal, and welfare scheme implementation.In an order issued on Thursday, CCLA Jayalakshmi promoted the 296 DTs and directed them to report to their respective district collectors. The decision followed chief secretary G Sai Prasad’s directive to relax certain eligibility norms in view of administrative necessity.Revenue department records show disciplinary proceedings are pending against a sizeable number of the promoted officials. While many charges are minor, some involve irregularities and vigilance cases. Officials argued that indefinite delays would worsen the manpower crisis.Promotions were stalled between 2013‑14 and 2017‑18 due to litigation and policy disputes, creating a backlog. The govt later secured the high court’s permission to clear promotions up to the 2017‑18 batch, filling 70% of the vacancies through promotions and 30% via direct recruitment.Meanwhile, employee associations have welcomed the move, calling the promotions long overdue and essential for efficiency. “Disciplinary proceedings can continue independently. Employees should not be denied career advancement indefinitely,” said revenue JAC president Bopparaju Venkateswarlu.Critics, however, contend that promoting officials facing corruption allegations sends the wrong signal and may conflict with central vigilance commission norms. They argue that inquiries should have been completed before the officials were promoted.