Shettar wants CS to stay till polls

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar is inclined to request the Centre to continue S V Ranganath as Chief Secretary till the election process is completed. Ranganath is due for retirement by April-end.

Secretariat ources said by the time Ranganath retires, the model code of conduct would be in place. His retirement may also come very close the date(s) of polling. At such a stage having a new CS may pose administrative problems as there should be close co-ordination between the Election Commission and the government on a daily basis once the election process begins.

Shettar, it is said, has broached the subject with Ranganath who is not for continuing after retirement. The chief minister, it is said, wants the CS to continue till the new assembly is formed, which could be in June-July. At the most, the CS may have to extend his service for three more months is the opinion of Shettar, it is said. The State government is yet to write to the Union department of personnel and administration services requesting the continuation of the service of Ranganath, sources said.