CHENNAI: On May 16, the day late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa assumed office after returning to power in 2011, P Rama Mohana Rao was appointed as her secretary -I in the Chief Minister's Office. Five years later, after she won the re-election, Rao was made the chief secretary in a shock reshuffle of the brass.
As the head of Tamil Nadu's bureaucracy and also in terms of power and influence, Rao is among the most important persons in the administration who was found standing at Jaya's feet after her demise.
No wonder then that the IT officials' visit early on Wednesday morning has caused more than a flutter in the State. It has to be noted here that Rao has only seven months left for retirement.
Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Rao belongs to the 1985 batch, and joined the service as additional collector in 1987. He was appointed as chief secretary on June 8, just a fortnight after Jaya's AIADMK government assumed office, removing the incumbent, K Gnanadesikan, abruptly. Gnanadesikan, who wielded considerable influence till then was even suspended from service.
Rao has never been on a Central deputation to serve in union ministries or departments in Delhi. But he worked as vice chairman of Gujarat Maritime Board between 2001 and 2003.
Rama Mohana Rao has worked in departments including health, water resources, transport, social welfare, housing and urban development among others. He also headed the Teachers Recruitment Board in 2007, was the CMD of Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited, and Commissioner, Land Reforms.
He has also been functioning as the Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner for Administrative Reforms, another key portfolio in the state government.
On deputation, he had also served as Vice Chairman of Gujarat Maritime Board between August 2001 and October, 2003.