TVK president Joseph C Vijay visited the Tamil Nadu Secretariat for the first time on Sunday after being sworn in as Chief Minister earlier in the day.
On his arrival at Fort St. George at 11.44 am, he was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour by the police before proceeding to the Chief Minister’s chamber.
The chamber had been refurbished for him, with a portrait of former chief minister CN Annadurai placed behind his seat, possibly hinting at his affinity for the Dravidian movement.
Vijay signed official papers and was greeted by senior bureaucrats, including Secretaries to Government and senior police officers.
Soon after taking charge, Assembly Secretary K Srinivasan presented files relating to the appointment of the Pro-Tem Speaker, with Vijay seen making notes on one of them.
Vijay also signed files pertaining to the three announcements he had made after the swearing-in ceremony and held discussions with IAS and IPS officers on law and order and other governance issues.
The new Chief Minister effected a key bureaucratic reshuffle. Dr. P Senthilkumar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Health and Family Welfare Department, was transferred and posted as Additional Chief Secretary/Secretary-I to the Chief Minister.
G Laxmi Priya, IAS, Secretary to Government, Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, was transferred and posted as Secretary-II to the Chief Minister.
The government also declared that the posts of Additional Chief Secretary/Secretary-I to the Chief Minister and Secretary-II to the Chief Minister would be equivalent in status and responsibilities to the cadre posts of “Chief Secretary” and “Registrar of Cooperative Societies” specified in Schedule II-A of the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016.
During discussions on implementing the announcements, including free electricity and the formation of a women’s protection force, sources said Vijay posed several questions, indicating that the meeting went beyond mere formalities.
The CM later chaired an extensive review of the prevailing law-and-order situation in Tamil Nadu. Discussions also focused on enhancing women’s safety, preventing offences related to narcotic substances and ensuring stringent action against such crimes.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar, Home Secretary K Manivasan, Director General of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore, Public Secretary Rita Harish Thakkar and senior police officials. Meanwhile, the chief secretary appointed senior IAS officers P Senthil Kumar and G Laxmi Priya as Secretary-I and Secretary-II to the CM.
Later in the day, Vijay paid homage to Periyar at Periyar Thidal and met Dravidar Kazhagam chief K Veeramani.