IAS, IPS: Many heads to roll

Many heads in the IPS and IAS are expected to roll after Amma’s return from Bengaluru.  Amma has left for Bengaluru to answer the questions in the assets case’ today.   The buzz in the Khakhi circles is that much whispered transfer orders were only a disappointment as only 5 transfers were issued.   The orders saw luck favouring Nallasivam again as he has again been made as the Joint Commissioner Intelligence for Chennai City.    Nallasivam was transferred out of JC, Intelligence post only recently.   Tirunelveli Commissioner of Police Varadarajulu who was aspiring to become JC.IS failed to please the right power centers.    But, following these transfer orders many more are to come is the whispers in the power corridors.  

Fort St George sources also say many IAS officers are also likely to be transferred and a massive search has been launched in the corridors of power. On the other hand hectic lobbying is going on at all levels for plum posts in the AIADMK regime. Many officers in Madurai have spent at least 10 lakh ruppes to get posts where they can earn double the amount. Sources say it’s a powerful lobby that is working for paid transfers and postings of lower level officers. In one such case M K Alagiri’s close confidant who was Madurai PRO has managed to pull the right strings…and has landed in Fort St George right under the nose of Chief Minister. 

Jaya TV official asked to go on leave


Sources tell whispers that K.P.Sunil, Vice President (news) in Jaya TV has been asked to go on leave.  Sunil's leave was a result of Jayalalitha's ire.   Jayalalitha who is a strong believer in astrology had fixed 3.15 pm as the exact time for the relay of her televised address regarding price hike.   But the Jaya TV people fumbled the telecast and the relay got stuck within minutes of its commencement.    The whole address had to be telecast again which started a little after 3.30 pm.    Missing the auspicious time, Jayalalitha believes that the resentment of the public is due to missing the auspicious time (!!!!).   Sources say that she vented her anger on Sunil and had asked him to go on leave, following which Sunil has proceeded on a month's leave.

DVAC team gears up for the climax

The DVAC team headed by its IG AMS Gunaseelan had left Chennai early yesterday for Bengaluru to receive Amma ahead of her visit.   The investigating officer Sambandham left by road yesterday afternoon.  Jayalalitha had answered 560 out of the 1400 questions prepared for her by the Special Judge Mallikurjaniah.    The Supreme Court had recently directed the Special Judge to finish the questioning sessions preferably within two days.   The questioning session is likely to continue tomorrow too which is making the DVAC officials nervous…as it will spoil Amma’s mood. However, Jaya is aware that today the media focus will be on Chidambaram as the BJP is up in arms against him demanding his resignation in the parliament. 

Desperate search for counsel

Kanimozhi is desperately searching for a counsel to defend her in the 2G trial say sources.   Rasathi Ammal and Kanimozhi who are not satisfied with the present counsel want some one who could effectively rescue Kanimozhi out of the mess.  But, legal brains are running for cover and are not willing to take up the case say Delhi sources.  The advocates who are well aware of the mood of the Judiciary particularly in the 2G case…is reluctant.  A senior correspondent from an English Daily who is very close to Karunanidhi and known to many TN politicians is also in the search for finding out the right advocate to bail out Kani.

Kani catches cold,Trial heats up

The winter is slowly beginning in Delhi…and for  Kanimozhi who grew up in Chennai and who is not accustomed to Delhi climate, has caught fever, severe cold and is suffering in Tihar.   Hearing about their half sister’s discomfiture MK.Alagiri and MK.Stalin rushed to Delhi to meet Kani and consoled her and conveyed their father’s message that he is making all efforts to bring her out.   The brother’s reportedly conveyed to Kani that they both have absolutely no objection to her given any prominence in the party.  (Keeping in mind that her difficulties are not going to end anytime soon) But whether the brother’s word of solace has given any comfort to Kanimozhi is doubtful given the brothers’ track record in the past. DMK sources say this visit by both the brothers is nothing but just to show that "All is well" in the family and the party. 

Tamil Nadu Ministers : Kaun Banega 'Crorepati'

“Good governance is the sine qua non of effective administration. Corruption is the biggest hindrance to achieving the goal of good governance. As District Heads, Collectors have the onerous task of cleaning up the system and improving service delivery.” This was Jayalalitha’s speech on the inauguration of Collector’s conference in Chennai in the presence of her Cabinet Ministers.

But Jayalalitha's desire to run a corruption free government is all set to remain as a pipe dream...if whispers doing rounds in bureaucratic circles to be believed. Amma's instructions seems to have fallen on deaf ears...

Make a quick buck in a jiffy...    That’s the buzzword among the Ministers in Jayalalitha’s cabinet.   Many ministers claim that they enjoy the active support of ‘Chinnamma’ and are on a collection spree say sources in Fort St George.

Agri SS Krishnamoorthy is considered as the ‘numero uno’ among the band of bandits if the buzzword in IAS circles are to be believed. Agri Krishnamoorthy who claims to be close to ‘Chinnamma’ is the most feared upon by the officialdom.

Agri SS.Krishnamoorthy

Krishnamoorthy acts in close liaison with Anuradha, who is in charge of Jaya TV. Also a self styled ‘Joint Managing Director’ – Jana and Vice President (Administration) in Jaya TV act as point person in getting deals done. Sources say the duo are on a whirlwind tour to meet all the powerful industrialists in Chennai and other places.  

Their modus operandi is to meet the industrialists and demand amounts ranging from 2 crores to 10 crores under the guise of securing advertisements for Jaya TV.  They are promised with advertisements in group channels for concessional rates.  The industrial honchos who fail to budge would invariably invite a ‘surprise raid’ by the officials of the Commercial Tax department, which falls under the control of Agri Krishnamoorthy.

K.T.Pachamal, who is the Minister for forests is also doing everything to please Chinnamma.     Pachamal is reported to be abusing officials by calling them names.  He is reportedly to be boasting of his closeness with Chinnamma and other power centers...sources say his name tops the list of ministers who will be axed in the next Cabinet reshuffle.

  
V.Moorthy, who is popularly called as ‘Madhavaram Moorthy’  who was made a Minister for dairy development recently, had instructed his officials to find ways and means to make a quick buck. He claims he is close to Ravanan - another power center in the AIADMK regime. 

Ministers B.V.Ramana, Seetha Chellapandian, N.Subramani are not being giving respect to senior IAS officers and are calling them names, say Secretariat sources.   In most of the Ministers’ chambers close relatives of the Ministers occupy the room and instruct the Secretaries and other officials, who are senior IAS officers to wait outside, till the minister comes.

Senior IAS officers fume about the humiliation that they suffer on a daily basis by the Ministers and their relatives.  Insiders say officials also lament about the lack of knowledge or attitude to learn by the Ministers who only concentrate in making a quick buck.

Recently, IAS officers are perplexed with a new request of the Ministers.  Eager to make a ‘quick buck’  the Ministers insist that senior officials in their respective department are transferred out to far off places, so that they come and crawl before them with ‘handsome gifts’ to cancel their transfers.  Officials who are aware of the resentment such mass transfer would cause, are baffled with this strange request. 

The frequent transfer of officers and the frequent cabinet reshuffle also has taken its toll on the administration.  Apprehending transfers officers are reluctant to take any proactive action which has put spokes in the wheels of Jayalilatha's administration say sources in Fort St George.

In fact the bureaucrats who are privy to the collection spree of Ministers had a muffled laugh when Jayalalitha asked them to weed out corruption.  

Turf war in Tamil Nadu police?

If whispers doing rounds among the top police officers in Tamil Nadu are of any indication, a serious turf war is on in the Khakhi circles.  The recent shuffle in the intelligence wing this September seems to be the prime reason behind this turf war .

Many were surprised when T.Rajendran, was posted as ADGP intelligence despite his strong links with the DMK leadership during the previous regime. But the next day, K.Ramanujam, was posted as DGP intelligence...

All of a sudden on 29 September 2011 T.Rajendran was shunted out from the post and AG.Pon.Manickavel was posted as DIG Intelligence... when the intelligence wing already had a DIG Intelligence…Sathyamurthy.  The induction of Pon.Manickavel resulted in Sathyamurthy being completely sidelined.  K.N.Sathyamurthy who was looking after regular intelligence, including political intelligence was allotted with the task of looking after extremists and special division, which is considered as a post without charm.

From day  one, Pon.Manickavel started asserting himself in the intelligence wing, say sources.   Seeing Sathyamurthy as a threat to his unfettered  powers, Pon.Manickavel engineered his transfer out of intelligence wing and made him DIG, Madurai. Well It did not stop there...in an aim to bring Chennai City too under his control Pon.Manickavel made the next move.   R.Nallasivam, who was Joint Commissioner of Police, Intelligence in Chennai city was transferred out.   The post of JC, IS, Chennai city which was hitherto DC, IS was created by the new government expecting heavy workload following the merger of suburban commissionerate with Chennai.   

Following the transfer of Nallasivam, the newly created post of JC.IS has now been downgraded to that of the level of Additional Deputy Commissioner and filled up by a Pon.Manickavel loyalist.

Sources in the Khakhi department say... Pon. Manickavel who is deter-mined to retain the post and to be in the good books of Amma has been over enthusiastic.  After the arrival of Pon.Manickavel, the responsibility of sending Daily intelligence reports to the CM has also been taken over by Pon.Manickavel him. DGP Ramanujam, who is a man least concerned by power struggles never objected to Pon.Manickavel sending the reports directly to CM.

Whispers doing rounds that cannot be ignored in TN's intelligence circles is that Pon.Manickavel is taking instructions from M.Natarajan, Sources also say that Natarajan, who is popularly called as MN wants to identify officers in the intelligence wing belonging to a particular and powerful community.   

The buzz in the department is that MN had made it clear to Pon.Manickavel that people belonging to a particular community in Tamil Nadu police should be given important postings preferably in Chennai city.  Sources say MN has chosen IPS officers Chockalingam, Masanamuthu and Pon.Manickavel with this task and they are termed as the ‘deadly trio’ among police brass.

MN also desires to make P.Sivanandi as IG intelligence and that is the buzz doing rounds in the corridors of DGP HQ.  But given the attitude of Pon.Manickavel it is likely to be objected by him. 

Also Jayashree, IPS, who was relegated to an insignificant post by the present government for her closeness with Pottu Suresh also would be assigned with a good post,as she belongs to that community.

Many senior officers are very uncomfortable with the concentration of so much power on a single man.  They cite the example of the previous government where such a concentration led to disastrous consequences.   Assessing the intelligence wing staff by their community is also not going down too well and it has disappointed many in the intelligence wing. 

In the wake of continuous failures on many occasions...men in Khakhi say Chief Minister wants to strengthen intelligence in the state...but these recent developments in the intelligence wing appears to be a matter of concern for many officers and many fear that it could break into an all out war ultimately affecting the performance. 

Major reshuffle in IPS post 13/11

  

The much awaited major shake up in the Tamil Nadu IPS cadre turned out to be a meek affair.  After the transfer 22 IAS officers and a cabinet reshuffle in Tamil Nadu, whispers were thick in the air that a major shake-up in the IPS cadre in Tamil Nadu is likely.  However, the transfer list released today was only of superficial nature.

The list saw six Additional Superintendents of Police promoted as SPs and posted at various places.  In a curious move, the Jayalalitha government has created a new post in the cadre of Superintendent of Police for ‘control room’ in Chennai city.  Hitherto, the control room was manned by a Deputy Supdt. of Police.  Arun IPS who was working as SP, Kanyakumari was posted as SP, Narcotics Intelligence Bureau CID recently.  Now he has again been shunted out of NIB.CID and posted as Commandant, Sundarampalli.

Sources in Fort. St. George say that a major re-shuffle in the IPS cadre is planned by Amma after the Collectors and SPs conference scheduled on November 13 and 14.  Initial reports suggested that the shake up in the IPS cadre would take place ahead of the conference and the new incumbents would be suitably advised by ‘Amma’ on law and order and other issues relating to investigation and control of crime.   But whispers doing rounds is that Amma wants to meet the police officers eye-to-eye and give them an earful before packing them off to various places.

However, the IPS circles is still abuzz with whispers about transfers and postings. Sources say that even the top copy K.Ramanujam may be relieved of the post of DGP (L&O) and would be instructed to concentrate fully on the state intelligence.    Narinder Pal Singh,  a 1980 batch IPS officer may be the lucky one to head the state police.   Curiously, Narinder Pal Singh, is the only officer in the Tamil Nadu IPS cadre to hold not even a single immovable property, according to his property returns submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs.  Sources also add that forces on behalf of Narinder Pal Singh are working overtime with the corridors of power to secure him the top job.

In the meanwhile, IPS officers in Tamil Nadu are waiting with bated breath for the next list to come out of the Home Department.

J K Tripathy to be shunted out?

Following the huge re-shuffle in the IAS cadre in Tamil Nadu, which saw many bigwigs change turf, there is more expected in IAS circles. but for the moment its yet again ‘musical chair’ for IPS say sources.  Amma is dissatisfied with the performance of many cops say sources. Chennai city’s top cop J.K.Tripathy appears not to be in good terms with the power centers in the Fort St George.   In the evening hours Tripathy is not accessible say sources.  Tripathy being the top copy in the city, particularly after the merging of suburban areas with Chennai city,  being inaccessible at important times, has irritated the top brass. Whispers doing rounds is that S.George, who is the present ADGP L&O is eying the city’s top post and is into hectic lobbying in bureaucratic circles.   The shuffle, which is expected anytime soon will shake up the police set up in the state.

Fear Grips Maran Brothers 

With Kani’s bail being rejected by the Special Court…fear seems to have gripped Maran brothers who are on their way to Tihar jail. Sources close to Maran brothers say that they are leaving no stone unturned to evade arrest in the spectrum allocation case. While their family members in Chennai are busy seeking divine intervention….Whispers doing rounds in Delhi is that both Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi Maran’s have been trying to pull all strings possible to delay the CBI's action against them…and to some extent it appears they have been successful.

The recent meeting between Karunanidhi and Sonia Gandhi…followed by India's premier investigative agency the CBI not opposing Kanimozhi bail…seems to have raised hopes for Maran brothers… as they were also attempting to take the same route…Now things seems to be very difficult for the Marans... As Kani’s bail has been rejected yet again on grounds that are very much applicable to Marans as well…Tension seems to have gripped the boat club brothers’ empire. Sources close to Marans say given the present circumstances both brothers are in fear as they will have to stay longer in jail.

Angry Karunanidhi slams DMK lawyers

87 year old DMK Chief…who is now under painful moments as his favourite daughter Kanimozhi is left with no other option but to remain in jail for some more time… Karuna is extremely angry against the lawyers as he feels that he is being misguided time and again. This time the DMK camp was extremely confident that Kani will be out on bail…so given the circumstances, the positive vibes from the SC and the assurances from all quarters especially lawyers…Karunanidhi executed his plan of giving a warm and a royal welcome for his daughter…as per his instructions top leaders of the DMK including his sons M K Stalin and M K Alagiri were asked to be in Delhi on November 3 to receive Kanimozhi…much to everyone's surprise in the DMK it was a complete anti-climax…

Whispers doing rounds is that Karunanidhi is that...now Karunanidhi is angry against the Advocates who have been advising him in the 2G case…as their leader is extremely upset and angry over the legal setbacks...many DMK advocates are now running for cover just to avoid Karunanidhi's wrath. Karunanidhi's Gopalapuram residence which is always filled with legal bigwigs like RS Bharathi, Jothi and others...on November 3 they were missing in action.  

 

It’s free for all in DMK

With Karunanidhi showing less interest in party affairs and more interest in getting Kanimozhi out on bail…it’s free for all in the DMK. The party that is already battered by the succession battle between M K Stalin and Alagiri…and now losing its image in the wake of the 2G scam…is witnessing an all out battle between senior leaders and M K Stalin. With M K Stalin currently ruling the roost in the party…it has left seniors like Veerapandi Armugam and many others extremely upset…

Whispers doing rounds in the party is that Veerapandi Armugam who met Karunanidhi two days ago has openly expressed his dissatisfaction over the way they are being treated in the party…Sources in Gopalapuram say Veerapandi Arumugam who met Karunanidhi for more than an hour raised the issue of how party seniors are being subjected to discrimination…Arumugam has also questioned the DMK patriarch on why he did not find time to visit him when he was in Jail and instead made 3 trips to Delhi to meet his daughter Kanimozhi. Sources say Karunanidhi was not able to answer any question raised by Veerapandi Armugam.

Battle of the ‘rising sons’.

With MK.Stalin asserting his position inside the party and strengthening his clout in the wake of a disinterested Karuna, Stalin’s moves has left MK.Alagiri fuming say insiders.

Whispers doing rounds in the DMK is that Veerapandi Armugam is in touch with M K Alagiri, Paruthi Ilamvazuthi and various other frustrated by M K Stalin to launch their offensive against the DMK’s rising son.    Dissidents who are against the rising clout of Stalin in the party are rallying towards Madurai and are narrating their tale of woes to the erstwhile ‘Anjanenjan’ who is all set to spoil any attempt made by Stalin to take control of the party. 

TNPSC SCAM: Needle of suspicion points Mayor’s institute?

Whispers doing rounds in Khakhi and Bureaucratic circles is that...the Probe into the TNPSC scam which was unearthed by the DVAC recently seems to have hit a roadblock following finger of suspicion pointing towards the new elected Chennai Mayor Saidai Duraiswamy ‘Manidha Naeyam IAS Academy’.  

Saidai Duraisamy, a known MGR loyalist... contested in the May 2011 assembly elections that rattled DMK's rising "SON" M.K.Stalin.  In fact Duraisamy’s poll plank was vote for me and I will make your sons or daughters an IAS officer. Duraisamy lost the election to Stalin in a marginal 5000 votes.  The goodwill generated by Duraisamy and his reputation made him the Mayor candidate and he won the Mayor elections on a record margin.

Duraisamy’s institute Manidha Neyam IAS Academy has a very good reputation of producing successful candidates both for the UPSC and TNPSC competitive examinations for free. The academy besides conducting coaching classes for UPSC and TNPSC exams also conduct coaching classes for banking exams…Saidai Duraisamy feels it’s for a noble cause.

What is TNPSC scam all about??? Click this link - DVAC's raid damakka

TNPSC Chairman Sellamuthu raided 

For the first time in the history of Tamil Nadu the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption on 14^th October conducted simultaneous raids at the residences of all the members and Chairman of TNPSC. The surprise raids resulted in the seizure of several incriminating documents pointing to a larger scam in the recruitment of various services for the Tamil Nadu state government. Lets not forget all these Members and Chairman were appointed by none other than DMK Chief M Karunanidhi.  

The documents elicited information about how the candidates managed to approach the TNPSC members and chairman to secure more marks in the personal interview in the Group.I service examinations. Whispers doing rounds among people who run coaching institutes across TN is that before the DVAC raids on TNPSC, Manidha Nayem academy was the gateway to approach TNPSC members for easy appointments by paying huge sums of money.  

Throughout Tamil Nadu, talk among the study circle and job aspirants is that Manidha Naeyam academy has good connection with the TNPSC members and they can put you in touch with the right people. Such unconfirmed talks had so much effect that many institutes chose to send their students for personal interview coaching ‘only’ to Saidai Duraisamy’s academy. 

One of the students who attended coaching classes for personal interview at Manidhaneyam academy told that the faculty members while taking classes will drop a hint saying that people with money can approach the members for appointments.  Following this cue, willing students with money approach the right persons and get what they want. Sources say Manidha Naeyam academy is constantly under the scanner of brokers who connect Job aspirants to TNPSC members. 

Since the successful candidate who secured a job and the members and touts who get their share benefit mutually…no one is ready to blow the lid off. Insiders say it all happens so systematically that even Saidai Duraisamy who runs the institute will not be able to trace.

Sources also say Saidai Duraisamy may not be aware about the scam brewing in his own backyard and the faculty members and touts have been taking him for a ride. 

Now, Whispers doing rounds is that, Saidai Duraisamy himself becoming the Mayor of Chennai city, any probe by DVAC slightly concerning his academy would never take off…Will the Mayor of Chennai clean first clean this muck!! Will he be able to nail the culprits who are exploiting his prestigious institute to make quick bucks? Will the touts be brought to book? and the TNPSC members who were using Mayor's free coaching academy as a platform to execute their operations be identified and punished? or will it be "free for all"...remains to be seen.

Cabinet reshuffle on cards!!

Well it’s once again time to see some new faces in Amma’s cabinet…this time Chief Minister J Jayalilathaa has decided to drop at least 6 of her ministers due to lack of performance and on various charges. This will be done based on the Intelligence inputs submitted by the State Police…Immediately after assuming charge as Chief Minister Jayalilathaa had asked intelligence officials to form a team to track the activities of each minister. Last time Esakki  Subbaiah was axed based on complaints and a state intelligence report about his links with some DMK functionaries and charges that he had helped them bag some contracts. Besides, there were also allegations about his involvement in land grabbing. Also some of AIADMK district secretaries have also come under scanner due to the infighting within the party during the local body elections…that resulted in rebel candidates filing individual nominations…sources say several complaints have also been received on that front as well.

“Babus” to be shunted out!!

After cracking the whip on party men…Sources say Jaya’s focus will be on the government machinery…even though the AIADMK has witnessed a thumping victory in the just concluded local body elections…it was the anger against the DMK that had played a major role in these elections too…From power cuts to law and order situation in the State still remains a matter of concern for the people…and some of the populist schemes that were launched by Chief Minister J Jayalilathaa are yet to see the light of the day...Whispers doing rounds in Fort St George is that Chief Minister Jayalilathaa will be reviewing the performances of Babus too and is all set to crack the whip.  Sources say Amma is contemplating large scale transfers in the IAS and IPS cadre in the state.

Its movie time folks.....

Well, it’s that time of the year…when local Assistant Commissioners, Inspectors, Sub- Inspectors and Constables are bracing themselves for a ticket collection spree…its Diwali…and time for some new releases. This time there is a huge demand for tickets as movies like SRK’s Ra.One, Surya’s Ezham Arivu and Vijay’s Velayadum is all set to hit the silver screens. IAS and IPS officials have been directly contacting theater owners for tickets…and perhaps it has become as an unwritten rule for the Assistant Commissioners and Inspectors to arrange tickets for their senior officers. Now local police officers are visibly seen entering theaters in their jurisdiction for advance bookings…in one of the multiplex in the city a police inspector has demanded at least 10 tickets for each show (Compulsory) for him so that it can be given to senior officials or their family members. As usual theaters owners are completely annoyed by such demands and are avoiding phone calls from unknown numbers, fearing that it could be an IAS or an IPS officer.

Jaya’s complaint rattles Assembly speaker

Chief Minister J Jayalilathaa who preferred Fort St George as her office…has complained about the maintenance of the building…in a note that was sent to the Assembly speaker D Jayakumar…Chief Minister has complained that the corridors of power bears an ugly look…with electricity wires hanging overhead posing danger. This complaint by the Chief Minister seems to have rattled the Assembly speaker who is seen inspecting the corridors of Fort St George…and right now the Speakers focus is on getting things done for Amma.

Udhayanidhi Stalin makes a windfall

Red Giant pictures’ 7am Arivu has made a whopping profit of 15 crores even before it has hit the screen says industry sources.   With AR.Murugadoss being the director his bankable credibility has boosted the movies sales.  With Vijay’s ‘Velayutham’ hitting the silver screens the political tug of war has entered the silver screen too say sources. Vijay appearing to be Amma’s supporter sand Udhayanidhi Stalin being the producer of ‘7am Arivu’ political war has entered the silver screen too.