Modern Secretariat essential for Tamil Nadu’s growing administrative needs: Sengottaiyan

Backing the proposed ₹1,200-crore new Secretariat project announced by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan on Friday (September 4) said Tamil Nadu needed a modern administrative complex to keep pace with its expanding governance requirements.Speaking to reporters at the Coimbatore Airport, Mr. Sengottaiyan said successive governments had considered the need for a new Secretariat. Former Chief Minister the late J. Jayalalithaa had also attempted to establish a new Secretariat, while the Secretariat complex constructed during the tenure of former Chief Minister the late M. Karunanidhi was later converted into a multi-speciality hospital.Referring to Secretariat facilities in neighbouring States, including Karnataka, he said the infrastructure there continued to serve as a model, and Tamil Nadu, too, needed a suitable administrative complex.Responding to Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman’s criticism of announcements made under Assembly Rule 110, Mr. Sengottaiyan said the practice had been followed by successive Chief Ministers.He said Rule 110 had been used by previous governments depending on the circumstances, and there was nothing unusual about the incumbent government following the practice.On the criticism that the Chief Minister should respond to questions on subjects handled by him, Mr. Sengottaiyan, who is also the Leader of the House, said there was no such requirement.He cited the example of the previous government, saying that when M.K. Stalin was Chief Minister, then Minister S. Regupathi had answered questions on the subjects handled by the CM. The Chief Minister need not personally answer every question raised in the Assembly, he said.On the portrayal of Mr. Vijay as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate and the Congress warning that it could reconsider its position in the Cabinet if the party did not support Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial candidate, Mr. Sengottaiyan said Mr. Vijay’s position was clear.He said the people of Tamil Nadu had given a strong mandate to the TVK and that Mr. Vijay was currently focused on formulating plans for the welfare and development of the State. Published - September 04, 2026 08:07 pm IST