Chennai: Governor Banwarilal Purohit seems serious in delivering on his promise, made when he took charge at the Raj Bhavan here on October 6, to 'clean up the system' in Tamil Nadu. In pursuit of this seemingly difficult mission, considering the loads of allegations of corruption and maladministration — plus the raids of various types and so on — the Governor has been holding review meetings with the officials unmindful of the Opposition leaders crying foul and scouting for 'talent' to man his own secretariat that is bound to gather importance in coming days.
The latest and the most important officer arriving at the Raj Bhavan is R. Rajagopal, formerly adviser, Inter-State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs.
On his return to the State cadre, he has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary to Governor in the post now specially created. The 1984 batch IAS officer had served in many important positions in the TN Government, most notably as the home secretary.
"Mr Rajagopal is a very honest and very efficient officer, a no-nonsense man. He knows Tamil Nadu like the back of his hand - not just its geography but also its socio-political nuances. And about its bureaucracy", said a senior officer requesting anonymity. He hinted at tough times for his colleagues having a 'cushy time' at Fort St.George.
The government release announcing the posting of Rajagopal as the Additional Chief Secretary to Governor on Tuesday also explained that his post is equivalent in status and responsibilities to the cadre post of Chief Secretary to Government.
Rajagopal's wife Meenakshi is also of the 1984 batch IAS and is presently the state additional chief secretary and commissioner, rural development & panchayat raj (training).
Mr Ramesh Chand Meena, who has been the Principal Secretary to Governor is now shifted to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (TIDCO) as its CMD. Mr Atulya Misra has been holding additional charge of TIDCO till now.
