The Tamil Nadu Government, sacked Dr. P. Rama Mohana Rao and issued an order appointing Dr. Girija VaidyaNathan as the Chief Secretary of the state. The government order noted that Ms. VaidyaNathan will be taking charge of all the positions held by Mr. Rao including Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner of Administrative Reforms.

The officer of 1981 batch of the Indian Administrative Service, Ms. VaidyaNathan has held various positions and also played a crucial in role in the launch of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme by AIADMK.

Mr. Rao who superseded seventeen IAS officers to become the top bureaucrat this June, was handpicked by Late Jayalalithaa even though Ms. VaidyaNathan was second in seniority. I-T Department officials conducted raids on the houses and offices of Mr. Rao, resulting in the seizure of thirty lakh rupees in the new 2,000 denomination notes, 5 kg of gold, and documents containing details of undisclosed assets approximately worth 5 crore rupees.

Opposition leaders of DMK and PMK demanded dismissal of Mr. Rao after the IT department sent shock waves to the TN government. Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin demanded a detailed statement from the Chief Minister Pannerselvam on the issue. The order did not have any information on Mr. Rao’s fate; he will remain in service without any posting as no official decision on suspension is made.