Hyderabad: The YSR government had taken up the issue of “Missing” IAS officer Randeep Sudan with the Centre after he failed to return in 2007. Official sources said that the last communication from his side was in 2007, which was sent to the DoPT, seeking extension of deputation or treat the same as a “resignation letter” if deputation could not be extended.

Interestingly, the DoPT continues to treat him as an “in-service candidate” despite his unauthorised absence for nearly six years, which was proved with his recent allotment to Telangana State cadre on December 26.

Mr Sudan was active on Twitter till this November-end, tweeting technology updates.

His bio on the site says he is a Practice Manager at the World Bank, lives in Washington DC and served as an IAS officer.

In December 2013, the Centre had directed all states to expedite the processing of cases of deemed resignation and unauthorised absence of IAS officers. However, it is itself sitting on Mr Sudan’s issue for years.

Despite repeated reminders to the Centre between 2009 and 2014, there was no response.

According to Rule 7 (2) of IAS Leave Rules: “A member of the Service shall be deemed to have resigned from the service if he/she is absent without authorisation for a period exceeding one year from the date of expiry of sanctioned leave or permission, or is absent from duty for a continuous period exceeding five years, or continues in foreign service beyond the period approved.”

However, these rules are not being implemented strictly. About 20 IAS and two IPS officers across the country have been “missing” for years together.