IAS Rizvi VRS | Hyderabad, Oct 23 (Maxim News): Senior IAS officer Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi has taken voluntary retirement from service, with the government approving his VRS application.
Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao issued orders on Wednesday, stating that Rizvi’s retirement will take effect from the 31st of this month.
However, the approval has sparked a fresh controversy within the Excise Department, revealing internal differences that surfaced suddenly.
Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has written to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, urging them not to permit Rizvi’s VRS “under any circumstances.”
In his letter, the minister alleged that Rizvi behaved improperly towards him and was involved in irregularities. He said Rizvi acted negligently in his duties and obstructed the minister’s functions.
The minister also placed specific instances from the department before the Chief Secretary, flagging what he termed as serious concerns.
The letter alleged that the Excise Department’s security hologram sticker contract on liquor bottles was given to the same company for 11 years.
IAS Rizvi VRS approval triggers row
The minister stated that he had directed that labels be upgraded with higher security and that fresh tenders be called.
However, he alleged that his instructions were ignored and the contract was again awarded to the old vendor. He argued that such decisions undermine transparency and security in the supply chain.
Further, the minister said Rizvi disregarded directions in the Chitti Srujan case on recovery of arrears and compounding fees.
He also alleged that files related to the collection of Rs 6.15 crore in demurrage charges from Capricorn Blenders were not provided, calling this refusal unlawful.
He added that even when the TGBCL MD sought details, they were not shared, which he termed unacceptable.
The minister’s letter also claimed that delays related to ABD Limited Company—on liquor production and maximum retail price—caused heavy losses to the state exchequer.
He said these were brought to the notice of the CM and CS as examples of how departmental decisions were mishandled. Therefore, he asked that the government reconsider the approval of Rizvi’s VRS in light of these issues.
IAS Rizvi VRS – Excise Department
The development has placed the Excise Department under scrutiny and raised questions about procurement, file movement, and compliance with directives.
Meanwhile, the VRS orders remain in force as per the Chief Secretary’s notification. Later, the government may review the minister’s complaints and decide whether to revisit the VRS approval or allow it to proceed as ordered.
Then, any further action will likely be determined after examining the documentary record cited in the minister’s letter. (Maxim News)
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