IFS chiefs for DRDAs wrong move: Anbumai Ramadoss

CHENNAI/COIMBATORE: Anbumani Ramadoss has urged the State government to withdraw its decision to appoint Indian IFS officers as project directors of District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs), warning that the move could disrupt rural administration and essential public services.

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.”

He said the shortfall in water releases had severely affected farmers in the Cauvery delta and called for legal action to seek compensation for their losses.

“Given the severe impact on farmers in the Cauvery Delta, farmers’ associations should approach the Supreme Court and seek Rs 1,000 crore in compensation from the Karnataka government for crop losses,” he said.