One of the most popular and powerful IAS officer of KCR-led Telangana government Smita Sabharwal of 2001 batch has not been attending office or government meeting since the new government has come into being. She was working as secretary to chief minister and also holding charge of secretary rural water supply and sanitation department.
There were rumours that Smita is leaving Telangana and exploring opportunity to work on central deputation. Her husband Akun Sabharwal, a 2001 batch IPS is already on central deputation.
However, Smita Sabharwal condemned such rumours saying that she will not leave Telangana. On her X account, she wrote,
“I see some news channels have reported a fake news- that I am going for central deputation, which is widely circulated. It is totally false and baseless.”, tweeted Smita on her social media page, condemning the rumours. Also she added that she will continue to be in the state only. “As an #IAS officer of Telangana cadre, I will continue to serve and execute whatever responsibility the Government of Telangana deems fit for me. (sic)”, her tweet further read, as she adds, “Am proud to be part of the journey of my state”.
Smita Sabharwal remains in news
Smita Sabharwal has always been in news. She is considered effective and efficient officer. However she has not been away from controversy also.
In May 2022, Telangana High Court had directed to refund ₹ 15 lakh she was granted by the State government for filing a defamation suit against a magazine, observing that the ‘grant was not for any public purpose'.
Nearly seven years ago, the IAS officer (then additional secretary to CM) appeared on the ramp along with her husband Akun Sabharwal (an IPS officer) during a fashion show organised by fashion designer Abhishek Dutta. A weekly English magazine, published an article with the heading ‘No boring Babu'. Certain comments were made in the article on the IAS officer and the CM.
Smita Sabharwal sought money from state government to file defamation case. The state government granted her the money following which PILs were filed for misuse of public money.
A bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Abhinand Kumar, delivering verdict in two PIL pleas and a writ petition on the matter, said the IAS officer should return the money to the government within 90 days. “If the amount is not refunded within 90 days of the order, the same should be recovered from Smita Sabharwal within a month thereafter,” the judgement said.
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