Reporter’s diary: After Lok Sabha elections, personal secretaries of ministers are a happy lot

With the status quo continuing in the state and centre after the recent Lok Sabha polls, a section of PAs are in demand, thanks to the increased footfall into offices of key ministers.

The admission season for schools, colleges is in full flow, and that coupled with department transfers and the floating of several new tenders, ensures a large crowd comprising both public and party men. The queue seeking recommendations and favours from the state ministers are keeping PAs and ministerial staff both busy and cheerful and favours often come with ‘gifts’ and benefits. Ministers too are keen on getting high visibility, so there is a steady crowd at the bungalows of TN ministers seeking their participation in the events and inaugurals.

Not counting the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, the state has 30 ministers, and almost all of them have three PAs, attending the secretariat office and the camp office of ministers. However, the same buzz is missing around PAs attached to ministers holding posts like environment, dairy development, handloom, Tamil culture, khadi and minorities welfare, as the footfall is relatively lower.