Former AP official leaves after raising concerns over Naidu’s arrest
Dr. PV Ramesh, a former finance secretary and retired IAS officer, resigned on Monday from Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL), a private company that is working on major infrastructure projects in the state, including the Polavaram Dam. Ramesh had publicly questioned the arrest of the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, N Chandrababu Naidu, by the CID.
Ramesh, who served as principal finance secretary under the TDP, pointed out that in the event of a scam, the officials involved in the release of funds should be held primarily accountable rather than the chief minister who oversees many different issues and departments. Ramesh also denied reports that the former chief minister was detained because of comments he made in an interview with a local television channel.
He also voiced skepticism about the possibility that the CID’s interpretation of his comments and expressed worry about the case’s missing original documents.
Ramesh handed in his letter of resignation to PV Krishna Reddy, managing director of MEIL on X, previously Twitter, on Tuesday. But he just said, “I am submitting my resignation from the service of MEIL effective September 11, 2023, for personal reasons,” without giving any other details. I shall, though, be accessible whenever you need any assistance from me.
After making a public statement on the matter, Ramesh further disputed that MEIL had fired him, stating, “It is not correct to say that I have been asked to resign.”
The bureaucrat who formerly held important positions in the state government in finance and health, however, also said that CID had put pressure on him to change his account about Naidu’s detention.
“My entire life, I have consistently and unmistakably worked for the public interest above and beyond political, social, economic, and commercial considerations,” he said, turning to X once more. Nobody—not even God—can force me to do something that is against my conscience and the interests of the general public.
