- Four key Sections under his hold
- Finance, Consumer, Bulk Marketing, and OPS under his grip
- Two crucial Sections also with Jonna Satyanarayana
- Power centralized with just these two… serious harm to the organization
- Doubts over sidelining eligible officers to favor just these two
Article today, Hyderabad:
Oilfed, one of the most important state-run corporations under the agriculture department, is reportedly under the tight control of just two officers — Tirumaleshwar Reddy and Jonna Satyanarayana. While Reddy handles four major sections— Finance, Consumer Marketing, Bulk Marketing, and OPS — Satyanarayana oversees HR and Plants & Projects. Employees allege that these two have centralized all authority in their hands, sidelining several eligible officers in the process.
From Public Sector to Personal Empire?
Despite being a government-run corporation, Oilfed is allegedly being run like a private estate by a chosen few. Officers question why so many key responsibilities are concentrated in just two hands. The situation is raising concerns among employees and officials alike, who fear that such power concentration could lead to biased decision-making and long-term damage to the corporation.
Finance Monopoly Raises Eyebrows…
Among all responsibilities, the Finance section is the most critical. This unit handles clearances for projects worth hundreds of crores, manages tender processes, and oversees crucial financial decisions. Officers say Tirumaleshwar Reddy’s tight grip over this section leaves room for potential influence from contractors and middlemen. In such a high-stakes environment, many feel no one person should manage multiple high-power roles.
Questions Over Ignoring Eligible Officers
Several senior and eligible officers — including Mohammad Moin, G. Sunitha Kumari, Shashikala, and Swarnalatha — have reportedly been overlooked. Instead of distributing departments based on merit and technical background, the top two continue to enjoy undisputed authority. Many within Oilfed are questioning the logic behind this favoritism.
Vijaya Oil’s Falling Market Share — A Warning Sign
Oilfed’s flagship product, Vijaya cooking oil, is struggling to compete in a market dominated by private brands. Despite huge investments and infrastructure like the Siddipet Oil Palm factory, where Rs. 300 crores have been allotted, results are underwhelming. Employees point out that all financial approvals for such major projects are coming from Tirumaleshwar Reddy’s desk, creating a bottleneck and a potential conflict of interest.
Why Take Over OPS Too?
The OPS factory in Shivrampally, Hyderabad, was earlier managed by Venkateshwar Reddy, who recently retired. Despite the availability of eligible replacements, Tirumaleshwar Reddy took over that role as well. Employees are frustrated by this move, saying the responsibilities should have been delegated to someone new.
No Link Between Qualification and Role
What’s even more concerning is the apparent mismatch between the officers’ qualifications and their roles. Tirumaleshwar Reddy, from a science background, manages financial and marketing sections. Jonna Satyanarayana, a B.Tech graduate, is heading HR and plants and projects. Meanwhile, Swapna, an MBA holder, is managing a technical post as Oil Palm Manager. Employees say this disconnect could affect the quality of decision-making and long-term project execution.
Call for Minister Intervention
A senior officer from the department has openly appealed for the intervention of Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao. The officer stressed that Oilfed must return to a system of checks and balances, transparency, and equal opportunity — all of which are missing in the current setup.
Time for Decentralization and Reform
Oilfed is a public corporation meant to serve farmers and the state’s agri-economy. Centralizing power among two officers, without considering merit or suitability, risks not only inefficiency but also long-term damage to its credibility. If reforms aren’t introduced soon, the institution may struggle to fulfill its growing responsibilities amid the state’s ambitious oil palm expansion plans.
