In what is considered to be a major decision aimed at clipping the wings of firebrand minister from Warangal Konda Surekha, the Telangana government has dismissed N Sumanth, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in her peshi following serious corruption allegations.
An official order issued by Ravi Gugulothu, Member Secretary of the Telangana Pollution Control Board (TPCB), stated that the dismissal takes immediate effect.
Sumanth is a contract employ in the pollution control board but has been on deputation as OSD in the ministry of forest, environment and endowments.
The development comes within hours of Surekha making serious alleged that the Reddy community has been targeting her, just because she belongs to the backward classes.
Though her comment was targeted at state information minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, who is in-charge minister for Warangal, it rubbed chief minister A Revanth Reddy on the wrong shoulder.
Surekha has been at odds with Warangal in-charge Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy for several months, with both publicly criticizing each other.
The sudden removal of her OSD, allegedly without her knowledge, is being viewed in political circles as a development that could deepen intra-party tensions.
According to sources, Sumanth joined the Telangana Pollution Control Board as a contract employee on December 17, 2023, reportedly on Surekha’s recommendation.
Although his contract expired on December 16, 2023, it was extended for another year, allowing him to continue in service until December 2025.
He was later appointed as OSD to Minister Surekha, where he allegedly abused his position and engaged in large-scale corruption.
He allegedly collected bribes related to transfers and postings in the Forest and Endowments Departments, and accepted money from stone crushers in exchange for environmental clearances.
Sumanth has also been accused of financial irregularities in Medaram Jatara funds.
After reviewing the allegations, the state government ordered a departmental inquiry, which reportedly confirmed abuse of official authority.
Consequently, the Pollution Control Board terminated Sumanth’s services, citing “misconduct and misuse of position.”
Sources said Surekha was informed of the decision only after the dismissal order was issued.
