CHENNAI: In a significant move to strengthen Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s control over the administration, the state government has scrapped the practice of seeking prior approval of the Tamil Nadu governor in the appointments of Chief Secretary and Head of Police Force (HoPF)/Director General of Police. Appointment orders for both these key posts can now be issued without gubernatorial clearance.
The changes, which are part of a new standing order issued by the Human Resources Management Department dated July 29, almost rewrite the rule-35 delegation framework of the state and end the practice hitherto mandated under TN Government Business Rules, 1978. The order issued by Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar supersedes all standing orders issued between 2022 and 2025, including one issued as recently as January.
The changes in the framework make CM’s endorsement mandatory in every crucial administrative decision. It recentralises authority over appointments, transfers and disciplinary action, with all files concerning Secretaries to Government, Heads of Department,
All India Service officers, Additional Secretaries, District Revenue Officers and Superintendents of Police mandated to be brought to the notice of the CM rather than being disposed of at the ministerial level. Disciplinary proceedings against IAS, IPS and IFS officers require CM’s approval at every stage, from initiation, issuance of show-cause notices to final orders.
Financial sanctions above `2 crore for recurring expenditure and `5 crore for non-recurring expenditure now require the CM’s approval, with the Minister for Finance, Planning and Development retaining authority over smaller sums and for most centrally-sponsored schemes. Disputes between finance and administrative departments are to be escalated to the CM.
Land acquisition above 1 hectare for infrastructure projects and land transfers between state and central governments require joint clearance by the CM and Revenue Minister.
Order circulated to secys, depts & ministers’ offices
Detention cases under the NSA, COFEPOSA and TN’s Goondas Act, along with sensitive court affidavits, also need CM’s approval, as per the new order. The order carves out separate administrative arrangements for two departments — Municipal Administration and Water Supply, and Welfare of the Differently Abled Persons.
Instead of following the standard approval process, files of these departments are routed to designated ministers across a range of service matters, including panel approvals, postings, training and disciplinary proceedings. Matters of Municipal Administration and Water Supply will be handled by the Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, while those relating to the Welfare of the Differently Abled Persons Department will be decided by the Minister for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment. The order circulated to all secretaries, departments, governor’s secretariat and offices of ministers will take effect immediately.
