A V S Reddy

Early life and education

A.V.S Reddy was born to A. Subbirami Reddy and A. Rajjamma on 27 December 1945, in Patur, Rajampet, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh, India into a Hindu Reddy caste family. He was the eldest of the eight siblings.

He obtained Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from Sri Venkateswara University (1962–65) with Economics, History and Psychology as optionals. While pursuing M.A. (Previous), got an opportunity to join the Indian Army, responding to the nation’s call for emergency services from youth in the aftermath of the Indo-Pak war. He was declared ‘The Best Outgoing Student’ of the year 1965-66 by Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. He served as Second Lieutenant, Captain and Major during 1971 in the Indian Army before joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), for which he had received professional training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie during 1973-75 and thereafter allotted to Andhra Pradesh cadre under 1968 IAS Batch.

State Election Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh (Dec 2004 to Dec 2009)

He held the Constitutional office of the State Election Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh, which is conferred with the status of a Judge of High Court for 5 years from 29.12.2004 to 28.12.2009. Held ordinary elections to 3,758 offices in 98 Municipalities and 11 Corporations in the State during September, 2005 with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which were introduced for the first time in the local body elections in the State. Held ordinary elections to 2,70,000 offices in Gram Panchayats, Mandal Parishads and Zilla Parishads in the State during June–August, 2006 overcoming unprecedented legal hurdles. Held first ordinary elections to Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, Rajahmundry Municipal Corporation and Tirupati, Hindupur and Palasa-Kasibugga Municipalities in 2007. Held first ordinary elections to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation spreading over 24 Assembly Constituencies in the State having a voter population of 57 lakhs with Electronic Voting Machines successfully in 2009. Instrumental in setting up of a Research & Documentation Centre (R & DC) after assuming charge in 2005 which generated Election Reports and Manuals of Election Law of local bodies containing vital information and statistics about local bodies useful to political parties, press and electronic media, general public and psephologists.

Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Sep, 2003 to Dec, 2004)

Introduction of GIS based planning. Rationalizing and streamlining the operation of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and weeding out the NGOs indulged in corrupt practices. Concentrating on Watershed Management and natural resources management. Extracting concession to tribals from Environment and Forest Ministry. Planning for the educated youth employment through National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation on mass scale and Special Central Assistance. Revising Tribal Research Centres and encouraging tribal languages at primary school level.

Director General, NIRD (Dec 2001 to Sep 2003)

As Director General of NIRD I have functioned as the Chief Executive and Head of the organization. Under my overall supervision and guidance this national apex body on training and research and action research in rural development functioned, coordinated and gave direction to 16-17 Centres. This was a very onerous responsibility as NIRD is not only a national apex body, it is also an internationally reputed organization which undertakes research and training for international students and important research projects headed by UN bodies, such as UNDP, ILO, etc.

During his tenure as Director General (DG), NIRD, the following were accomplished:

Principal Secretary, Revenue, Endowments & Relief, Government of Andhra Pradesh (2000-01)

The Principal Secretary, Revenue, Endowments & Relief, is one of the top ranking officials of the Andhra Pradesh State Government. In this capacity, Mr. Reddy has been dealing with Land Administration, District Administration and all matters pertaining to the Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation and Endowments. The Department of Revenue has more than 100,000 employees. This is the largest Department at the policy formulation level at Secretariat with its field agencies down to the village level. The infrastructure facilities such as provision of land throughout the State for governmental and non-governmental agencies is also being dealt by him.

In the capacity of Principal Secretary, Revenue, Endowments & Relief, for one year, he had successfully dealt with the situation following the unprecedented floods in the State capital. He has also been the Chief Coordinator for rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations on behalf of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for Gujarat earthquake victims. Alongside, he acts as the key Consultant in India on National Policies for Disaster Management and Sustainable Development.

Director General, Centre on Integrated Rural Development of Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), Bangladesh (1996-2000)

The Director General (DG) is the legal and official representative of CIRDAP (a regional, intergovernmental and autonomous organization representing 14 member countries in the Asia-Pacific region) and provides overall leadership by guiding and coordinating its day-to-day administration. This position has both 'selective' and 'elective' elements embedded in it; and it is for a four-year term. In comparison with the other UN agencies, the DG of CIRDAP is accorded the status of D-2 level and has been treated as a diplomat assigned with the responsibilities of Chief of the Mission.

As the chief executive, Mr. Reddy, supervises and directs the functioning of the Centre in accordance with the policy guidelines and decisions adapted by the Governing Council with the guidance of the Executive Committee of CIRDAP. The thrust areas of the CIRDAP are: rural development, poverty alleviation, disaster management, etc., and provides technical support for capacity building of the individuals/institutions. In addition, he coordinates the work of its five divisions: Research, Pilot Projects, Training, Information & Communication, Administration & Finance and the Planning Units.

Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development and Relief Department (1993-1996), Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, India

As head of this massive department, which deals with the local self-government bodies, i.e., Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the context of Rural Development in general and implementation of" various poverty alleviation programmes of both Central and State Governments in particular, Mr. Reddy took active interest in bringing about rural transformation in the State. He was instrumental in peaceful conduct of elections to the three-tier PRIs in the State. Facilitated in the devolution of more powers relating to functions, functionaries and funds to these bodies by the State Government as ordained in the Act and as per the State Finance Commission's recommendations. Besides, coordinated activities of the Engineering Wing of PR&RD Department in creating community assets like watershed programmes, rural water supply, arterial road development in rural areas, etc., and their maintenance. He held the additional charge of the Dean, Centre on Disaster Management at the A.P. Academy of Rural Development (APARD). The Manual for Drought for the State of Andhra Pradesh was prepared under his Chairmanship. Before taking over as Principal Secretary, held briefly the posts of the Commissioner for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Relief with distinction. This has provided him an opportunity to comprehend the ground realities with a sharper focus on Decentralized Development via local bodies as also linking development with disaster reduction in the State and elsewhere.

Deputy Director General, National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Hyderabad (1989-93)

National Institute of Rural Development is one of the most prestigious and well-endowed institutions in the world specializing on the various facets of rural development. It has linkages with various other development institutions both in India and abroad. NIRD serves as a policy advisory body to the Government of India on rural development. As its Deputy Director General (DDG), performed functions as head of (a) Training; (b) Research (c) Consultancy (d) Action Research; and (e) Administration. NIRD has also been coordinating the training and research activities of all the 25 State Institutes of Rural Development (SIRDs), which gave the DDG an opportunity in interacting with these bodies on a regular basis in upgrading their skills and knowledge-base enabling them to train the officials and Elected Representatives in implementing the policies of the Government of India alongside the State Government's innovative schemes. Was instrumental in sending faculty of NIRD for various long-term and short-term training programmes both in India and abroad. Visited the U.K. during January through December 1991 as the Queen Elizabeth House Fellow of the University of Oxford; and while at it, specialized on the Disaster Management Policy for achieving sustainable long-term socio-economic development. When Andhra Pradesh state was ravaged by a Cyclone in May-1990, conducted a quick field study with the help of NIRD faculty, which provided a base to the Government of A.P., to put forth its proposal for aid before the World Bank, which finally gave an assistance of US$400 million to the State Government. Published a number of research papers on Rural Development and Disaster Reduction in various journals both in India and abroad. Also, functioned concurrently as ex officio Director of National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Financial Adviser and Director of the Centre on Disaster Management and Rural Reconstruction (CDM&RR) of NIRD.

Membership of Academic Bodies

Member, Canadian Evaluation Society, Ottawa, Canada (1997-2000).

Chairman, Governing Body of Andhra Pradesh Academy of Rural Development (APARD) from 1993-1996.

Member, Academic Committee of the National Institute of Rural Development from 1989 to January -1993.

Member, Faculty Sub-group on Action Research besides being the Coordinator of Action Research from 1989 to 1993 at NIRD.

Member, Board of Management of A.P. Agriculture University from September 1993 to June 1996.

Membership of Professional Bodies

Fellow of Royal Geographical Society, London.

Member, Canadian Evaluation Society, (Ottawa), Canada.

Member, Micro-credit Summit Campaign Council of Advocates.

Member and Chairman, National Institute of Amateur Radio (India)-a Non-Governmental organization for ten years (1982–92)

Member, Editorial Board of the Journal of Rural Development, NIRD (1989-1993), Hyderabad, India.

Chairman, Editorial Board, Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development (APJORD), published by CIRDAP, Dhaka, Bangladesh, July, 1996-2000.

Assignments

UNDP Team Leader for the Evaluation of Disaster Management Project in Bangladesh, February -1999.

Cyclone (May -1990) Reconstruction Project for Andhra Pradesh Government, submitted to the World Bank, which culminated in the successful release of US $400 Million.

Training for the Builders of Earthquake and Cyclone Resistant Housing (ODA, UK sponsored Project through Disaster Management Centre, Oxford Polytechnic, UK), 1992.

Evaluation of National Literacy Mission: "Evaluation of total Literacy Campaigns" as Voluntary Mass Movements" for the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Honorary Consultant, Khillari (Maharashtra, India) Earthquake affected area reconstruction programme.

Honorary Consultant and Adviser, Earthquake-prone Area Development Project in Andhra Pradesh (EPADP)

Project Director – for the preparation of Air Disaster Response Manual.

Project Director – Disaster Mitigation Plan for Ten Cyclone and Flood -Prone Districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Chairman of the Drought Manual Drafting Committee. The recommendations of the Committee have been accepted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Adviser for the Study on Profile of Cyclone Preparedness in Andhra Pradesh sponsored by the OXFAM, U.K.

Adviser to Government of Andhra Pradesh on the preparation of Manual of Instructions for the Contingency Plan for Earthquakes/tremors.

Publications

Over 100 Technical papers; Project Reports; Status Reports; Investigation Reports; Feasibility Reports; Scientific Papers; Conference Papers; and Consultancy Reports.

Selected Titles

1. Multidisciplinary Study on Cyclone Management in Andhra Pradesh (facilitated by OXFAM MIVOS ECHO)

2. UNDP Team Leader for Mid-term Evaluation Report on Comprehensive Support to Disaster Management (UNOPS Project BGD/92/002)

3. Cyclone (May -1990) Reconstruction Project Report submitted to the World Bank by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, India.

4. "Cyclone Shelter for Livestock" published in Livestock Journal for Rural Development, published from Colombia (1991)

5. “The Politics of Disaster: Public Pressure and State Response for Cyclone Relief in Andhra Pradesh," published in the Journal of Disaster Management, UK (1992)

6. Building for Safety – A case study of cyclone-prone coastal belt of the South Indian State of Andhra Pradesh, India – March 1992 (organized by Disaster Management Centre, Oxford and Cambridge Architectural Research, UK).

7. Impact of Land Reforms on Agriculture and Rural Development, Eds. Tarlok Singh, T.Haque and A.V.S.Reddy, NIRD, Hyderabad (1992)

8. "Integrated early warning systems for disaster management and long-term development" based on the work done at Oxford University as Visiting Fellow (January through December, 1991) published in the Journal of Rural Development, vol. (3), May 1992, NIRD.

9. "Earthquake Disaster in the Garhwal Region: Critical Appraisal of Rescue and Relief Operations", Occasional paper (4), NIRD (1992)

10. "Strategy for Rural Development in India: Self-employment for Poverty Alleviation", paper presented at the Commonwealth Consultation on Rural Poverty Alleviation, 5–9 October 1999. Colombo, Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Commonwealth Secretariat, London.

11. "Reformulating Strategies for Integrated Rural Development: Perspective for the Nineties". A policy paper – jointly prepared with Dr. B.K.Thapliyal and Dr. K.R.Sastry, presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture on their visit to NIRD (26–28 June 1992) Published in AARRO Journal (1992).

12. "Development of Academic Curriculum for Primary, Secondary and High School students in the context of Disaster management". Theme Paper for the UNCRD – CIRDAP Workshop, Dhaka, 7–11 February 1993.

13. "Planning for Management and Mitigation of Cyclone and Flood Disasters in Andhra Pradesh" (A study of ten Cyclone and Flood-prone Districts), sponsored by the Natural Disaster Management Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India (1996)

14. "Disaster Mitigation through People's Participation: Role of Local Self-government Institutions". Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development, Vol. IV, No.2 (December 1996 pp. 15–34.)

15. "CIRDAP"s Role in Fisheries Development: Its Experience and Suggestions for an Efficient Organizational Set-up for Pisciculture in Lao PDR" (with Soudchay, N.). A paper presented at Vientiane in April 1997.

16. "Evaluation Challenges in a Regional Membership Organisation". A paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Canadian Evaluation Society, Ottawa, Canada on 6 May 1997.

17. Planning for Local Community/Rural Development in Asia". A paper presented at the Seminar on Planning for Integrated Local Community Development, jointly organized by the National Productivity Organization (NPO) Bangladesh, CIRDAP and the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) at Dhaka on 8 July 1997.

18. Co-editor, "Rural Water Supply in Asia", CIRDAP Study.

19. Discussion paper on Disaster Reduction Experience of Andhra Pradesh October 1998.

20. Multidisciplinary Study on Cyclone Management in Andhra Pradesh (under Print)

Invitation/Participation in International Conferences: (only some important conferences are mentioned below)

1. Attended the Micro-credit Summit Campaign, Meeting of Councils held in Abidjan, Cote D'lvoire (Ivory Coast) from 24–26 June 1999.

2. Participated in the 55th Session of the UN-ESCAP, held at Bangkok during 22–28 April 1999.

3. Participated in the 54th Session of the UN-ESCAP, held at Bangkok during 16–22 April 1998.

4. Participated in the ESCAP's first session of the Committee on Socio-economic Measures to Alleviate Poverty in Rural and Urban Areas from 15–17 September 1998.

5. Attended the Pre-Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Forum held at Edinburgh sponsored by Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC)/United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS) from 22–24 October 1997.

6. Workshop on Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development organized by ESCAP and Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre, 26–30 October 1997.

7. Resource Person for Workshop on Building for Safety, organized by Disaster Management Centre, Oxford Polytechnic, Oxford, UK, 18 March -7 April 1992.

8. Resource Person for International Workshop on Flood Mitigation, Emergency Preparedness and Flood Disaster Management at Hanoi, Vietnam, 24–26 June 1992.

9. Resource Person for Commonwealth Consultation on Rural Poverty Alleviation at Colombo, Sri Lanka, 5–9 October 1992.

10. Resource Person for the UNCRD-CIRDAP Workshop on Regional Planning at Dhaka, 7–11 February 1993.

11. Visiting Fellow for the Study Programme titled 'Natural Disasters Protecting Vulnerable Communities', held at Oxford and London, IJK during 4–16 October 1993.

12. Presented the subject of "30 September 1993 Khillari (Maharashtra, India) Earthquake" at the International Conference at the Royal Society, London.

13. Chaired the ILO – NIRD Collaborative International Workshop on Small Enterprises at Hyderabad in 1991-92

14. Attended National Workshop on 'Stimulating Growth Through Rural Non-farm Activities in Bangladesh: Review of the Experience and Search for a Policy Agenda', organized jointly by Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) and The World Bank in Dhaka on 31 July 1996.

15. Participated in the Third Session of the Committee on Poverty Alleviation through Economic Growth and Social Development organized by ESCAP on 16–18 October 1996 in Bangkok, Thailand.

16. Attended the Seminar on 'The 1996 Human Development Report in Bangladesh' organized by UNDP on 17 October 1996.

17. Participated in the Workshop on 'Results Based Management (RBM) organized by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Programme Support Unit (PSU), Dhaka, 19 November 1996.

18. Participated in the Round Table on the Report of Graca Machel, Expert of UN Secretary General on Impact of Armed Conflict on Children organized by UNICEF and Bangladesh Institute of Strategic Studies, Dhaka, on 27 November 1996.

19. Participated in the 'Commonwealth Regional Training Programme on Poverty Focused Rural Development with Emphasis on Ecological Farming and Environmental Concerns', organized by the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), in Comilla, Bangladesh, 7 December 1996.

20. Held discussions at the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), the National Institute of Agricultural Extension and Management (MANAGE), A.P. State Housing Corporation Limited and visited two CIRDAP Pilot Project villages in Hyderabad, India from 13–17 December 1996.

21. Participated at the 53rd Session of the UN-ESCAP held at Bangkok, during 23–25 April 1997 and made a 'Statement'.

22. Attended the Launching Ceremony of the 'First Human Development Report of South Asia' organized jointly by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank (WB) 26 April 1997, Dhaka.

23. Attended the Annual Conference of the Canadian Evaluation Society and presented a paper on the Seminar theme at Ottawa, Canada, 6 May 1997.

24. Participated in the Annual Meeting on the 'Micro Impacts on Macro Economic and Adjustment Policies' (MIMAP) organized by International Development Research Centre (IDRC), 5–7 May 1997, Ottawa.

25. Attended the Seminar on Micro Impacts on Macro Economic and Adjustment Policies in Sri Lanka, 8–14 June 1997

26. Attended the Workshop on Sustainable Development and Disaster Reduction held at BARD, Bangladesh, 10–12 December 1997

27. Attended the ASEAN Expert Group Meeting of Rural Development and Poverty Eradication held at Yogyakarta and Indonesia in 12–15 December 1997.

28. Attended Asia Regional Meeting on "El Nino Related Crises" organized by Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre Thailand 2–6 February 1998.

29. Attended the Regional Workshop on "Towards Gender Equity: Poverty, Rights and Participation", at Dhaka, Bangladesh, 15–19 February 1998.

30. Attended the presentation on Policies on Institutional Credit to Generate Employment and Marketing Skills among the Rural Youth in Asia and the Pacific Region – the Indian Experience, on 16 February 1998 at Dhaka.

31. In observance of the National Disaster Preparedness Day, attended the Seminar on the theme: ‘Cyclone is the major Disaster for Man, Material and Environmental Loss in Bangladesh' organized by the Disaster Management Bureau in Dhaka on 31 March 1998.

32. Attended the Research Meeting on 'Impact of Increase in Household Income on the Status and Activities of Rural Women within the Household', 27-29, July1998.

33. Attended Workshop on Participatory Extension at Dhaka, Bangladesh 8–17 November 1998, organized by CIRDAP-MOA, Royal Government of Bhutan.

34. Participated in Mid-Term Consultation on Economic Impact of Peripheral Infrastructure for Rural Poor held in NIRD, India from 18–20 November 1998.

35. As an ex officio member of the Delimitation Commission of India, the Parliamentary Constituencies and the Assembly Constituencies in the State of Andhra Pradesh have been delimited with reference to the 2001 Census.