CMO goes into damage control mode over tweet by top official

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office Monday went into damage control mode after a tweet by one of its top officials on the '75 per cent reservation for locals' issue was reportedly objected to by Niti Aayog.

The matter relates to the Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, P V Ramesh, replying to a Twitter post by Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Sunday night over the legislation.

The CMO got into action on Monday to 'mollify" the Aayog by "putting things in perspective", a senior bureaucrat told PTI here on condition of anonymity.

The legislation has led the government to be on the defensive as it has generated a lot of adverse reactions, particularly in the industrial sector.

Besides, the state government is already engaged in a face-off with the Centre over the Power Purchase Agreements issue.

Kant tweeted, tagging a news article published in a financial daily on the legislation.

Replying to this, Ramesh had tweeted, asking the CEO to "read the Act and rules being framed".

"With highest regards 2 u, ur comments and FE report r based on incomplete info. There is nothing in the Act that could hurt the 'federal spirit'.

While promoting interests of those 'domiciled' in AP, there are enough opportunities 4 those who are not.

Read the Act & Rules being framed," the Special Chief Secretary, who is due to retire in two more days, told the Niti Aayog CEO.

Kant shot back, tweeting "Not my comments. I have quoted from the report & used inverted coma."