Stalin takes charge; advises admin on Covid-19 preventive measures

Stalin takes charge; advises admin on Covid-19 preventive measures

Security Arrangements Stepped Up

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:04.05.2021

DMK president and chief minister-elect M K Stalin on Monday took charge, literally, holding a review meeting with the administrative machinery-led by chief secretary Rajeev Ranjan on Covid-preventive measures. The meeting lasted an hour at his Chittaranjan Salai residence in Teynampet at noon.

Senior bureaucrats, Atulya Misra (revenue), J Radhakrishnan (health) and K Phanindra Reddy (commissioner for revenue administration), and health officials briefed Stalin on the Covid situation. “I had a consultative meeting with the officials on the measures to contain the spread of the virus. I advised the officials that all necessary measures must be taken up in full swing to prevent Covid-19 and upgrade treatment,” Stalin said in a statement. He told the officials to make available the anti-viral drug, Remdesivir, in all important towns in the state, akin to distribution to private hospitals in Chennai. The administration should ensure adequate beds, oxygen and medicines given the spike in Covid cases.

According to sources, the officials briefed about the requirement of further restrictions to contain the virus as the active caseload crossed 20,000-mark and 122 fatalities recorded on Monday. “He (Stalin) was aware of the situation before being briefed. The officials explained what had been done so far and the preparedness,” said a source. On Sunday, the officials held a brief talk with the chief minister-elect on the swearing-in ceremony. The event is expected to take place in Raj Bhavan on May 7, after Stalin is elected legislature party leader by the party MLAs on Tuesday. He will stake claim to form the government soon after. In a related development, the ministers’ chambers in Secretariat were spruced up on Monday, with furniture and name boards being removed.

Meanwhile, police also stepped up security at Stalin’s residence with footfalls going high. A team of police led by an inspector of police, two sub-inspectors of police and 22 others were assigned for security. The police team will maintain surveillance roundthe-clock. That apart, 24 police personnel will position themselves at the Chittaranjan Salai-Cenotaph Road junction and on the eastern side of Stalin’s residence to monitor round the clock on a shift basis. A bomb detective and disposal squad team also scanned the vehicles arriving at Stalin’s residence.

Bureaucrats have been making a beeline to Stalin’s residence ever since the poll results indicated an edge for the DMK. All senior bureaucrats, including S Krishnan, SK Prabakar, Harmander Singh, Dayanand Kataria and Rajesh Lakhoni visited the leader and exchanged greetings on Sunday, besides scores of state government officials.

(With inputs from A Selvaraj)

ON THE HOT SEAT: M K Stalin holds meeting with senior bureaucrats at his Chittaranjan Salai residence in Teynampet on Monday