Chief Minister Vijay to decide on Chief Secretary row, says Law Minister
Law Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar has said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will take a decision on the demand for removing Chief Secretary Dr M Sai Kumar, amid protests by the TVK’s ally CPM.
The CPM has been seeking action against Sai Kumar over an alleged circular directing officials to monitor students participating in protests organised by Left parties and the Cockroach Janta Party.
Speaking to reporters in Madurai, Nirmal Kumar said the state government had no role in issuing the circular. He also said higher education remained under the Governor’s control and that the government was working to bring it under the state’s jurisdiction.
According to the minister, the government has been taking steps to address issues in the higher education sector, including filling vacant vice-chancellor positions.
The CPM has also sought action against a former tahsildar who allegedly instructed officials to collect information about Left party members in his jurisdiction. Nirmal Kumar said the official had acted independently and that even the district collector was unaware of the circular. He maintained that the government had no intention of targeting political groups through such directions.
Nirmal Kumar also spoke about preparations for the upcoming consecration ceremony at the Meenakshi temple in Madurai.
He said a review meeting had already been held and that a detailed arrangement plan would be released within a week. Authorities are currently assessing the structural stability of buildings surrounding the temple as part of the preparations.
The minister said arrangements were being made to allow up to 10,000 people to witness the ceremony from nearby gopurams.