Chennai: In a major administrative reshuffle, the Election Commission of India (ECI) removed Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N Muruganandam and appointed senior IAS officer Dr. M Sai Kumar as the state’s new Chief Secretary. The ECI also directed the posting of senior IPS officer Sandeep Mittal as Director General of Police (Armed Police and Vigilance and Anti-Corruption), replacing Davidson Devasirvatham.
The Election Commission ordered the Tamil Nadu government to implement these postings immediately and mandated a compliance report to be submitted by 6 pm on the same day. The ECI further instructed that officers removed from their posts should not be assigned any election-related duties until the completion of elections.
Immediate Effect of ECI Orders
Following the ECI directive, Dr. M Sai Kumar is set to assume charge as Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu, replacing N Muruganandam. Official sources confirmed that the incumbent was relieved of his duties on Wednesday.
Simultaneously, Sandeep Mittal, a senior IPS officer, was posted as head of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) and Armed Police. These moves mark one of the highest-level administrative reshuffles in Tamil Nadu in recent years.
About Dr. M Sai Kumar: The New Chief Secretary
Dr. M Sai Kumar, born on 31 August 1966 in Andhra Pradesh, is a 1990 batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre. Over his illustrious career spanning more than three decades, he has held several senior roles in the Tamil Nadu government, establishing a reputation as an administrative transformer.
Educational Background:
- Graduate Degree
- M.A. and M.Phil.
- PhD in Public Affairs from the University of Madras
Languages: Proficient in English, Hindi, and Telugu
Professional Highlights:
- Current: Commissioner of Revenue Administration and Additional Chief Secretary for Revenue Administration and Disaster Management
- Former Roles:
- Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Limited (TNPL)
- Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC)
- Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister
- Head of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), credited with reducing institutional losses
- Managing Director of TASMAC, implementing streamlined checks and balances
- Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in charge of South India for six years
Personal Life:
Dr. Sai Kumar is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys swimming, cycling, and jogging. He is married and has two children: Saurabh and Sahiti, the latter a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.
Why Dr. Sai Kumar is Called an “Administrative Transformer”
Dr. Sai Kumar is widely recognized for his academic and reform-oriented approach. He has consistently implemented measures to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in multiple departments. His leadership style combines technical expertise with an innovative approach to governance, earning him the reputation of an administrator who can transform institutional performance.
ECI’s Broader Administrative Directive
The Election Commission also directed that the Chief Secretary appoint Sandeep Mittal as the Director General of Police overseeing Armed Police and DVAC. This move underscores the ECI’s focus on ensuring impartial administration during the electoral process and highlights the importance of compliance with immediate effect.
Outlook
With Dr. Sai Kumar assuming the role of Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu’s administration is expected to experience strategic and operational reforms in critical departments. His appointment signals the ECI’s intent to maintain neutral governance during elections and ensure efficient public administration.
