Hyderabad, India – A single social media post has led to the removal of senior IAS officer Smita Sabharwal from her position as Principal Secretary for Tourism and Culture in Telangana. The controversy stemmed from an AI-generated image she shared on X (formerly Twitter), depicting the Telangana government’s proposed development of a 400-acre area near Hyderabad Central University.
The image, styled as a Ghibli animation, showed construction equipment clearing trees, with wildlife in the foreground, highlighting the project that has drawn criticism from environmentalists, students, and activists. The land dispute is currently under review by the Telangana High Court and the Supreme Court.
Sources indicate that Sabharwal was asked to remove the post, but she refused, citing her right to freedom of expression. This defiance, coupled with the politically sensitive nature of the land dispute, prompted senior officials to compile a report against her, which was presented to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Cyberabad police also questioned her.
In a subsequent government reshuffle, Sabharwal was reassigned to her former role as Member Secretary of the Telangana Finance Commission, a move widely viewed as a demotion. This change is particularly significant as Hyderabad prepares to host the Miss World event in May, a project she was overseeing.
While officials claim the reshuffle was a routine administrative procedure, sources suggest Sabharwal’s removal was directly linked to the controversial post. The Chief Minister’s Office stated that the decision was “unavoidable” due to her public disagreement with government policies.
Sabharwal, a 2001-batch officer known for her efficiency and strong management skills, previously held key positions under the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government. Her transfer to the Finance Commission after the Congress took power was initially seen as a downgrade, but her appointment as Principal Secretary for Tourism allowed her to showcase her abilities.
Her rapid implementation of policy reforms and revitalization of the tourism department drew both praise and scrutiny. Rumors of her potential appointment to a high-profile media management role, which she reportedly did not desire, added to the tension.
The Kancha Gachibowli land controversy remains a critical political issue, with the Congress government asserting its right to develop the land for infrastructure and an IT park, while environmentalists argue for its ecological preservation.
The reshuffle also saw Jayesh Ranjan taking additional charge of the Youth Advancement, Tourism and Culture (YAT&C) Department, along with other key administrative changes.
Sabharwal, a highly regarded civil servant with a history of impactful projects, including the ‘Fund Your City’ scheme, now faces the consequences of her public stance in a politically charged environment.
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