Environment secretary to hold additional charge of TNPCB chairmanship

State chief secretary V Irai Anbu on Sunday issued orders placing Ms Sahu in full additional charge of the post of chairperson, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) with immediate effect, until further orders.

The order was issued days after the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) raided several places allegedly owned by former TNPCB chairman A V Venkatachalam. A huge haul of gold, silver and currency was seized from IFS officer Venkatachalam’s house during the raid, which prompted the vigilance sleuths to book cases against him. The appointment has received a mixed response with some questioning the government for removing the checks and balances in the department by allowing the secretary to hold additional charge of the board chairmanship. A few have welcomed the appointment as a crackdown on alleged corruption in the government machinery.