In a recent reshuffle, the Puducherry government has re-allocated various portfolios among Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, as per a government order issued on Monday.
2010 batch IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, Mr D. Manikandan, previously serving as the Karaikal District Collector, has been appointed as the Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, replacing senior IAS officer A. Nedunchezhiyan. Along with this key responsibility, Manikandan will now oversee the Tourism and Fisheries departments.
A. Nedunchezhiyan, in turn, has been given the responsibility of managing Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Handicrafts, Research Institutes & Wakf, and Art and Culture.
P. Jawahar, the Chief Electoral Officer-cum-Commissioner and Secretary to the Government, will now manage a diverse set of portfolios, including Industrial Development, Trade and Commerce, Forests and Wildlife, Education, and Science, Technology, and Environment.
Veteran IAS officer A. Muthamma, with 14 years of service, has been promoted to Commissioner-cum-Secretary and assigned key areas like Planning & Research, Transport, Power, Civil Supplies, Public Works, Information Technology, and Adi Dravidar Welfare.
S. D Sundaresan has been appointed to handle Social Welfare, Backward Classes & Minorities, Economics & Statistics, and Sports and Youth Affairs. In addition, he has been named Chairman of PONCARE, a crucial welfare initiative.
Jayanta Kumar Ray will oversee Health and Family Welfare, Labour, Women and Child Development, and Cooperation. Ray will continue his role as CEO of Puducherry Smart City Development Limited and Project Director for the Project Implementation Agency.
R. Kesavan has been given the responsibility of General Administration, Personnel, Town and Country Planning, Housing, Local Administration, Vigilance, Fire Services, and Information and Publicity. He will also retain his position as Special Secretary (Home).
A. Kulothungan, the District Collector, will now also be responsible for Rural Development and will serve as Special Secretary (Revenue), in addition to his role as Chairman of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).
This reallocation of subjects is expected to streamline governance and improve efficiency across various sectors in Puducherry.
