CHENNAI: With COVID-19 cases surging by the day in Tamil Nadu, the state government on Friday appointed Commissioner of Revenue Administration J Radhakrishnan as Health Secretary, shunting out Beela Rajesh who was transferred and posted as Secretary, Commercial Taxes and Registration Department.
A government order dated 12 June, issued by the Chief Secretary Shanmugam, said Radhakrishnan will also hold full additional charge as Commissioner of Revenue Administration until further orders.
Radhakrishnan served as Health Secretary for over seven years before he was transferred and posted as Transport Secretary. After a brief stint, he was transferred and posted as Revenue Administration Commissioner. On May 1, he was appointed as special nodal officer for the Chennai Corporation to fight COVID-19.
Radhakrishnan is well known for his relief work after the 2004 tsunami when he was the district collector of Nagapattinam, one of the badly-hit districts. His efficiency in handling the crisis after the tsunami gained considerable appreciation. His administrative skills were lauded by former US President Bill Clinton and the Sri Lankan government utilized his experience in relief work at the time.
The transfer of the top health official comes in the backdrop of the state recording over 1,500 cases in the last one week. Radhakrishnan, a 1992 batch IAS officer, also served as Chennai Corporation Commissioner. A veterinary doctor (MVSc), he was the Health Secretary from September 2012 till February 2019 when Beela Rajesh had succeeded him.
Radhakrishnan was known for handling many crises when he was health secretary.