Hyderabad: In a significant development, Jonnalagadda Snehaja took charge as the Regional Passport Officer (RPO) for Hyderabad on Friday. Snehaja, a member of the 2016 batch of the Indian Foreign Service and a qualified chartered accountant, now holds the distinction of being the second woman to assume the role after Ashwini Sattaru.
Hailing from the city itself, Snehaja brings a wealth of experience to her new position. Before assuming the responsibilities of RPO in Hyderabad, she served as the ‘Second Secretary’ at the Embassy of India in Beijing. Her career also includes notable roles as an Under Secretary in the Bangladesh and Myanmar division, as well as in the Vigilance division at the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi.
This appointment marks a significant step forward in promoting gender diversity in key administrative roles. Snehaja succeeds Dasari Balaiah, who served in the role since November 2020. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officially appointed her to this crucial position, recognizing her expertise and service within the Indian Foreign Service.
