He said officers without prior experience in rural administration would find it difficult to implement development and welfare schemes effectively, citing the recent appointments for Kanniyakumari and Theni. He pointed out that the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department plays a crucial role in delivering basic infrastructure and welfare programmes.

He also warned that the move could create friction between departmental staff and non-cadre officials, potentially paralysing administrative operations.

Meanwhile, the PMK president also urged the TVK government to convene an all-party meeting over the Mekedatu dam controversy. He urged the adoption of a united approach to protect the State’s interests in the Cauvery water dispute, particularly in view of Karnataka’s move to pursue its proposed Mekedatu project.

“Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay should convene an all-party meeting and take all-party leaders, MPs and MLAs to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister and urge the Centre to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s rights in the Cauvery water dispute. Karnataka has already submitted a revised report to the Centre on its proposed Mekedatu dam project,” he said.

Claiming that Tamil Nadu had received far less Cauvery water than its expected share, Ramdadoss said, “Over the last three months, Tamil Nadu should have received 65.70 TMC of water, but only around seven TMC has been received. We should not remain complacent merely because a case has been filed in the Supreme Court.”