In the wake of the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy and the murder of Tamil Nadu BSP chief K Armstrong, the state government has initiated a major bureaucratic reshuffle. Incumbent State Home Secretary P Amudha has been reassigned as Principal Secretary of the State Revenue Department. Dheeraj Kumar, the Additional Chief Secretary, has been appointed as the new head of the state home department.
The reshuffle also saw significant changes within the Greater Chennai Corporation. Commissioner J Radhakrishnan was replaced by J Kumaragurubaran, the current Secretary of the State School Education Department. Radhakrishnan will now serve as Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection Department.
This overhaul includes the transfer of several other high-ranking officials:
Tmt. S. Madumathi, IAS – Managing Director, SIDCO, is now Secretary to Government, School Education Department.
Dr. J. Radhakrishnan, IAS – Additional Chief Secretary/Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation, now Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Cooperation, Food, and Consumer Protection Department.
Thiru Kumar Jayant, IAS – Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department, now Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Information Technology and Digital Services Department.
Thiru Dheeraj Kumar, IAS – Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Information Technology and Digital Services Department, now Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition, and Excise Department.
Tmt. P. Amudha, IAS – Principal Secretary to Government, Home, Prohibition, and Excise Department, now Principal Secretary to Government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
Thiru V. Rajaraman, IAS – Secretary to Government, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, now Secretary to Government, Tamil Development and Information Department.
Dr. S. Suresh Kumar, IAS – Chief Executive Officer, Tamil Nadu Khadi & Village Industries Board, now Additional Secretary to Government, Backward Classes, MBC & Minorities Welfare Department.
Thiru C.A. Rishab, IAS – Additional Collector (Development)/Project Officer, DRDA, Thiruvannamalai, now Deputy Secretary to Government, Finance Department.
Thiru B. Vishnu Chandran, IAS – Collector, Ramanathapuram District, now Deputy Secretary to Government, Public Department.
Tmt. S. Valarmathi, IAS – Collector, Ranipet District, now Joint Secretary to Government, Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Department and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Working Women Hostel Corporation.
These transfers come shortly after Chennai Commissioner of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore was reassigned following Armstrong’s murder on July 5. Numerous other police officials have also been transferred.
This strategic reshuffle aims to address administrative lapses and restore public confidence amidst the recent crises.