Hyderabad, Feb 23:
Retired IAS officer Jannat Hussain, who played a key role in four per cent reservation for Muslims in united Andhra Pradesh, passed away on Friday.
He breathed his last at his son’s residence near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. He was unwell for the last few years.
Jannat Hussain, a 1977 batch IAS officer, was born in a farmer’s house in Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh. He held many important posts in various departments of Andhra Pradesh and left indelible impressions.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy have condoled the passing away of Jannat Hussain.
Revanth Reddy remembered the services rendered by Jannat Hussain in different capacities in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh government.
The Chief Minister recalled that Hussain served as Collector for many districts in the united Andhra Pradesh. During the Chief Minister YS Rajashekhara Reddy’s regime, the departed bureaucrat was elevated as Principal Secretary to CM and retired as Special Chief Secretary. After that, Hussain was nominated as Chief Commissioner of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
As CM Principal Secretary, the IAS official played a significant role in the implementation of free power supply to agriculture scheme soon after YSR assumed the CM office in 2004. Revanth Reddy conveyed his deep sympathies to the bereaved family members.
Telangana government’s advisor on minority welfare Mohammed Ali Shabbir also condoled the demise of Jannat Hussain.
Shabbir described Jannat Hussain as a highly knowledgeable, efficient, and able gentleman. He was an authority on various issues and handled every responsibility assigned to him as an IAS officer with great efficiency.
Recalling his association, Shabbir Ali said Jannat Hussain played a crucial role in bringing 4% Muslim reservation in undivided Andhra Pradesh in 2004-05. “It was a three-member team – Dr Rajashekhara Reddy, I, and Jannat Hussain, who achieved the impossible task of getting approval from about 17 major departments for a 5% Muslim quota and implemented it in just 58 days. He was a dedicated officer. Instead of circulating files through clerks, he personally carried the Muslim quota file from department to department to ensure it did not face any delays,” he said.
The former minister noted that over 20 lakh poor Muslims benefited from the 4% Muslim quota (initially 5%) in the Telugu States since 2004-05, and every beneficiary owes to Jannat Hussain for his contribution.
He requested all the beneficiaries of the 4% quota and their families to pray for Jannat Hussain’s Magfirah in their prayers.
Shabbir Ali said personalities like Jannat Hussain would remain a true inspiration for Muslims and the entire country. “Jannat Hussain’s demise is a personal loss to me. I lost a good friend and an honest advisor,” he said.
He prayed to Allah to grant Jannat Hussain a high place in Jannat-ul-Firdous. He also expressed deep sympathies with the family members and prayed that Allah give them Sabr-e-Jameel at this hour.