Did Telangana IAS Officer Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi Resign Over Dispute with Excise Minister?
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Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, Telangana IAS officer Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi resigns amid a power struggle over liquor hologram tenders. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within the government and raises questions about the integrity of public service amid political pressures.
Key Takeaways
- IAS Officer's Integrity: Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi is recognized for his integrity amidst political conflicts.
- Political Influence: The case highlights the challenges IAS officers face against political pressures.
- Importance of Holograms: High-security liquor holograms are vital for preventing illicit liquor trade.
- Opposition Claims: Allegations of harassment against officers point to deeper governance issues.
- Resignation Impact: This incident raises questions about the stability of governance in Telangana.
Hyderabad, Oct 23 (NationPress) Senior IAS officer of Telangana, Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi, has opted for voluntary retirement following a clash with Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao regarding high-security liquor hologram tenders.
Rizvi, who previously held the position of Principal Secretary for Commercial Tax and Excise, submitted his resignation on Wednesday, citing personal reasons despite being known for his integrity.
The state government has acknowledged his retirement and has appointed M. Raghunandan Rao, the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, to assume full additional responsibilities as Secretary for the Revenue (Commercial Taxes & Excise) Department.
A letter from Jupally Krishna Rao to the Chief Secretary emerged on Thursday, requesting the rejection of Rizvi’s retirement application due to alleged 'grave misconduct'.
The minister referred to an earlier correspondence where he outlined what he considered serious misconduct by the IAS officer, potentially leading to criminal charges. “It is known that this IAS member has filed for Voluntary Retirement. Considering the alleged grave misconduct, please ensure that this VR application is rejected and not approved by the competent authority,” the letter stated.
Krishna Rao accused Rizvi of intentionally delaying the tender process for high-security holograms used on sealed liquor bottles, thereby allowing a previous vendor to continue.
The hologram includes a barcode and an IT-based tracking mechanism designed to combat illegal liquor trade, counterfeit products, and excise tax evasion. The Excise Department utilizes this hologram to trace every bottle from distillery to retail.
The Excise Minister claimed he had been urging the IAS officer since August of the previous year to expedite the tender process. In September, Rizvi suggested reconstituting the Expert Committee for the tender process, stepping down as Chairman. The minister rejected this suggestion, but Rizvi forwarded the file to the Chief Minister, bypassing the minister's authority.
By April 2025, a total of 23 companies had submitted bids, yet the tender process remained stagnant. Amid this deadlock, Rizvi opted for voluntary retirement.
In the meantime, the main opposition party, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has claimed that IAS and IPS officials are resigning due to harassment from the Congress government.
BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao stated on Thursday that officials were reluctant to be involved in conflicts among ministers regarding the distribution of corruption funds.
He added that Minister Krishna Rao was infuriated with IAS officer Rizvi for not complying with his commands, leading to the push for the rejection of the retirement application.
Rama Rao emphasized that officials understood that participating in the chaos and irregularities perpetuated by the Congress party could lead to legal consequences, similar to past incidents involving other officers.
Point of View
It's essential to present an unbiased perspective on the situation involving IAS officer Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi. His voluntary retirement amid allegations from Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao raises concerns about the pressures faced by public officials in navigating political landscapes. This incident highlights the delicate balance between governance and political influence, emphasizing the need for integrity in public service.
NationPress
23/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi resign?
Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi resigned due to differences with Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao regarding the tender process for high-security liquor holograms.
What are high-security liquor holograms?
High-security liquor holograms are tamper-proof labels that include barcodes and tracking systems to prevent illegal liquor trade and ensure excise tax compliance.
What allegations were made against Rizvi?
Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao accused Rizvi of grave misconduct, claiming he delayed the tender process and allowed an old vendor to continue.
What implications does this resignation have?
The resignation raises concerns about political pressure on IAS officers and the integrity of public service amidst ongoing governance conflicts.
How did the opposition party react to this incident?
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) alleged that IAS and IPS officers are resigning due to harassment by the Congress government, highlighting systemic issues within governance.
