Smita Sabharwal on Six-Month Leave: What’s Behind the Move?
Smita Sabharwal | Hyderabad, August 29: Senior Telangana IAS officer Smita Sabharwal has taken a six-month long leave, sparking speculation about the reasons behind it.
Officially, the leave has been granted under the Child Care Leave (CCL) category, but insiders hint that there’s more to the story.
According to an order issued by Principal Secretary (Finance) Sandeep Sultania, Smita Sabharwal will remain off duty from August 1 to January 31, 2026. She currently serves as Secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, and her responsibilities have been handed over to SERP Additional CEO Katyayani Devi.
Smita Sabharwal
Recently, Smita herself shared on X (formerly Twitter) that she has been dealing with spinal health issues for several months. She wrote that these months have been a period of reflection and healing, adding that recovery is gradual. She also posted a video enjoying a serene tourist location, signaling a focus on health and well-being.
However, the leave has raised eyebrows due to several recent developments:
Smita was considered a key officer during the BRS government but reportedly faced sidelining after the Miss World event in Hyderabad.
She drew controversy for sharing an AI-generated video related to tree cutting at Kancha Gachibowli, which led to a notice from Gachibowli police.
She recently appeared before the Justice P.C. Ghosh Commission in connection with the Kaleshwaram project.
Government insiders speculate that the combination of non-priority postings and recent controversies may have influenced her decision to take an extended break. Officially, Smita Sabharwal maintains that she hopes all issues will settle during this period.
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