AP Education Officers Demand Self-Drawing Powers, Cite Impact on Duties

The Andhra Pradesh MEO-1 Association has called on the State government to grant self-drawing powers to Mandal Education Officers-I (MEO-1s), arguing that its absence hampers their ability to perform duties effectively.

In a statement released on Sunday, July 12, 2026, Association State President Samala Simhachalam urged the government to issue orders empowering MEO-1s with self-drawing authority. He explained that MEO-1s serve as Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) for nearly 200 teachers in primary and upper primary schools within their respective mandals. Despite holding gazetted posts and heading the Mandal Education Department, they have not been granted self-drawing powers—a matter of concern and self-respect for the cadre, he said.

Mr. Simhachalam pointed out that the government has already extended self-drawing powers to high school headmasters, who supervise fewer staff members, while MEO-1s continue without similar authority. He noted that the issue had been brought to the attention of Education Minister Nara Lokesh on several occasions. Although the Minister responded positively, no formal orders have been issued yet.

The association also alleged that in some districts, District Educational Officers (DEOs) assign duties to MEO-1s that fall outside their prescribed job chart, creating administrative difficulties.

Mr. Simhachalam, along with Association State General Secretary B. Ravi Nayak, urged the government to resolve these long-pending issues at the earliest.