The latest buzz in the bureaucratic circles is the circular from the Chief Secretary asking all >public servants to declare their assets.
Until now, only All India service officers had to declare their assets and liabilities. Now, invoking the provisions of the Lokpal and Lok Ayukta Act, 2013, the State government has issued a directive based on the notifications issued by the Department of Personnel of the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
The definition, Public Servant, is said to cover all officials in top ranks and not necessarily just Indian Administrative Service officers. Ever since the circular was issued, the talk in the corridors of Fort St. George and other government offices is about the list of officials and their assets. The discussions will go on for some more time as the last date for declaration of assets is September 15.
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In for revamp
Reports suggesting that the police machinery is in for a revamp have triggered gossip in police circles. Though there is no official word yet, the rumour is that an officer of the rank of Inspector-General of Police would be made head of a range comprising three or four districts. This means a majority of IGPs, mostly headquartered in Chennai, will have to move to the districts.
However, there was no indication of this the Chief Minister’s address in the Assembly during the demand for grants for the Home Department. These discussions have resurfaced as some police officers say the proposal is taking shape again. As of now, the State has four police zones, each headed by an IGP.
While those awaiting promotion from DIG to IG could see these unconfirmed reports as prospects, while some others see this as a scope for punishment: a posting out of Chennai.
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Puthiya Tamizhagam
As political parties are realising the importance of social media, a section of workers of the Puthiya Tamizhagam has decided to propagate the party’s ideology, works and basic issues through Facebook.
A meeting of the group held in Tiruchi recently discussed ways of making use of their Facebook accounts to publicise the party activities. The idea is to reach out to the youth and the educated, said a party functionary. The workers have decided to highlight key issues, including the Cauvery dispute, the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils and the coal bed methane project, and the party’s stand through their Facebook posts.
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Railway demands
With D.V. Sadananda Gowda hailing from the neighbouring Karnataka, the representatives of different organisations in Tamil Nadu, fighting for the cause of railway commuters, have started making a beeline for Bangalore to present their demands to the Railway Minister.
A couple of weeks ago, a delegation of the All Traders Association, Kumbakonam, and other consumer organisations called on Mr. Gowda at his Bangalore residence and presented a wish list for the Mahamaham festival. Their demands included a new broad gauge line in the Kumbakonam-Virudhachalam section before the festival and creation of facilities at the Kumbakonam and neighbouring stations.
Again, the members of Kumari Mahasabai and the Kanyakumari District Rail Users Association called on Mr. Gowda some days ago in Bangalore and presented a petition, demanding the doubling of track between Madurai and Kanyakumari, and allotment of adequate funds for developing the Kanyakumari and Nagercoil stations which attract tourists and devotees round the year.
More than anything else, it is the simplicity of the Railway Minister which has attracted the visitors from Tamil Nadu.
