Officers still in YCP hangover, says Fibernet chairman

Telugu Desam Party official spokesperson and newly-appointed chairman of AP Fibernet Ltd G V Reddy on Thursday wondered whether the officials were yet to come out of the hangover of the YSR Congress party rule or were still hand in glove with the YSRCP leaders who had ruined the AP Fibernet in five years.

Speaking to reporters at his office, Reddy pointed out that as many as 400 employees were appointed during the previous regime without any qualification or experience. After the new government took over, it had ordered removal of these employees.

“Surprisingly, no action was taken. Managing Director (MD) of Fibernet Dinesh Kumar, an IAS officer, did not sign the dismissal orders. Instead, he continued to pay salaries to the employees, leading to a financial burden on the company,” the chairman said.

He wondered whether some senior officials were colluding with the previous government.

“The GST department has imposed a fine of Rs 377 crore on Fibernet last month, but officials failed to bring it to my notice,” he regretted.

Reddy said even after eight months of the coalition government being in power, there had been no progress in AP Fibernet.

"The officials are not cooperating with the reforms we are trying to implement. We have not been able to generate even a single rupee in revenue, nor have we provided a single new connection in the last eight months,” he said.

"Dinesh Kumar, who took charge in August, has not conducted a single review meeting. He has not even interacted with an operator. Should we assume this is part of a conspiracy against the government? Is Dinesh Kumar deliberately trying to shut down AP Fibernet?” he asked.

The chairman said the MD was working just like officials did under the previous government.

“He has not set any targets or made any efforts to increase revenue. Officials illegally paid salaries for three months. This money should be recovered from Dinesh Kumar and other senior officials,” he demanded.

Reddy said he would write to the Advocate General and the Chief Secretary (CS) to ensure full recovery.

“There has also been a delay in paying income tax, and I personally intervened to save Rs 30 crore. The Fibernet officials are engaging in corruption and betrayal. They did not cooperate with the Vigilance inquiry into irregularities between 2019 and 2024. Senior officials are committing acts of treason—this is an unpardonable crime," Reddy said.