Narsing Rao to be the chief advisor to KCR

With TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao set to assume charge as the first Chief Minister of Telangana, a major reshuffle in head honchos is inevitable. S Narsing Rao, chairman of Coal India, would be the chief advisor or the principal secretary to the new CM. This has been confirmed by none other than KT Rama Rao, senior TRS leader and son of KCR.

Narsing Rao had not just been at the helm of Coal India but was earlier the Chairman of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), the AP-based coal mining company. The IAS officer of the 1986 batch of the Andhra Pradesh cadre had quit his services to join Coal India in April 2012. His was a political appointment and he still has three more years to go at Coal India, considering the fact that he joined with a five-year tenure.

"Narsing Rao is likely to join either as the principal secretary of Telengana or become chief advisor to chief minister K Chandrasekhara Rao, a post that has the status of principal secretary," officials said.

Rumours started gaining ground after Narsing Rao was spotted in Hyderabad accompanying Chandrasekhar during a meeting with the Governor over the formation of the new State. Incidentally, Narsing Rao, who hails from Medak, is a sympathiser of the Telanagana movement.

“Telangana is rich in coal, particularly in the Singareni region. The newly-formed state would be deficit in power with most of the existing power plants falling in the residuary Andhra Pradesh state. So, Rao may be asked to work out the state's energy policy," says sources in the TRS. Rao is certain to be allocated to Telangana based on his nativity as he hails from Medak.

Narsing Rao is a post-graduate in chemistry and economics. He also holds a post-graduate higher diploma in forestry. Before joining the IAS, he had undergone training in forestry and rural development sectors.

Narsing Rao, who would resign as CMD of Coal India by May 26, would take over as advisor to CM on June 2.