The Supreme Court notices to the ministers and bureaucrats appear to have brought in a new sense of camaraderie between the two sections of the administration that had been on the warpath till recently.
An informal understanding was reached between the netas and babus not to contradict each other while filing replies to the SC notices and not to indulge in any blame games. Both will file affidavits stating that the GOs were issued within the legal framework and as per the relevant Acts and business rules.
Sources close to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy told this newspaper that he has already hinted at the government coordinating with the ministers and bureaucrats in filing the replies and the entire legal expenses would be borne by the government.
“As of now, the IAS Officers' Association will also keep itself away from the issue as the government itself came forward to extend all possible help, and unlike in the past it did not disown the officers,” a senior officer actively involved in the association pointed out.
The political executive was also told that the government should first cancel the orders if they were illegal.
Sources said the government had also been considering the option of getting impleaded in the case. The government has till now avoided taking a stand in the case fearing that defending the GOs might weaken the CBI case against Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.
“Now that the ministers and IAS officials have to file replies defending the orders, it is as good as the government defending them,” another official, who was among the recipients of the notices, said.
Meanwhile, IAS Officers Association chief Bhale Rao said the officers who received notices have not approached the association so far seeking help.