• But who does what?
• Govt. yet to assign roles, duties

Mysuru: At a time when inadequate rainfall has affected hydropower generation and fears of power shortages are growing, the appointment of two IAS Officers to the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) has come under criticism.

Questions are being raised over the need for an additional senior-level post and the resulting burden on public funds.

The controversy began following the retirement of CESC Managing Director K.M. Munigopal Raju on Mar. 31, 2026. The State Government appointed IAS Officer M.S. Archana, who was then serving as Special Deputy Commissioner (North), Bengaluru Urban, as the Managing Director of CESC.

However, within six months, during the first week of September, the Government transferred Archana without assigning her another posting and appointed IAS Officer S. Chandrasekhar, then Joint Director in the Department of Infrastructure Development, in her place.

KAT stay on transfer

Archana subsequently approached the Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) and secured a stay on her transfer, allowing her to continue as the CESC Managing Director.

Despite the tribunal’s order, she was transferred during the Dasara period and posted as Managing Director of the Department of Mines and Geology. She later resumed charge as the CESC Managing Director in accordance with the tribunal’s directions and continues to hold the post.

The latest development is the creation of a new post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in CESC and the appointment of IAS Officer S. Chandrasekhar to the position. Insiders and people in the know of things view the move as an attempt to accommodate the officer after Archana secured legal relief and continued as the Managing Director.

The creation of the post has raised several questions, particularly about the CEO’s responsibilities and powers.

Role not clearly defined

Discussions are reportedly underway to define the role, while there is said to be no clarity even on the officer’s specific duties. Reports also suggest that a separate chamber has not been provided for him within the CESC office.

The move has triggered criticism, with questions being raised about the need for another senior IAS-level position in the Corporation.

CESC is already reportedly under financial strain following the implementation of the ‘Gruha Jyothi’ free electricity scheme. Against this backdrop, the additional expenditure arising from the new appointment has become a matter of public debate.

There are allegations that the new post was created mainly to counter Archana’s continuation as Managing Director after she obtained a stay from the KAT against her transfer, which came within six months of her appointment.

Earlier controversy

Critics argue that the corporation will now have to bear an avoidable additional financial burden. This is not the first time CESC has witnessed controversy over appointments. Earlier, Lokesh was appointed Technical Director of the Corporation.

He was reportedly removed following objections from a politically influential individual over his decision to appoint assistants of his choice without consulting others. However, he was reinstated as Technical Director a few days later.

The series of developments has fuelled criticism that politically influential persons are interfering in the functioning of CESC, with one controversy following another.

At a time when the Corporation is expected to focus on ensuring uninterrupted power supply amid concerns over generation and availability, the administrative tussle has raised questions about governance, accountability and the use of public money.