Close on the heels of the ‘temporary revocation’ of the Blue Flag certification for Rushikonda Beach, Visakhapatnam, the State government has ‘relieved the District Tourism Officer (DTO) and Regional Director (RD), Visakhapatnam, from their responsibilities’ with immediate effect. The government found that the duo were engaged in internal disputes, hampering tourism promotion efforts and bringing disrepute to the department. “Such lapses will not be tolerated,” the government said, and asked the officials to “work in coordination for the development of tourism.”
According to information from the Chief Minister’s office, V.B. Jagadeesh Gedela, currently Divisional Manager, Visakhapatnam, has been placed in-charge of Regional Director (APTA) & Executive Director (APTDC), Visakhapatnam Hub, replacing K. Ramana, who has been relieved on administrative grounds. Mr. Ramana has been instructed to hand over his charge immediately. Similarly, K. Gnanaveni, who served as DTO/Tourist Information Officer, has been repatriated to her parent department with effect from …