Reporter’s Diary: Transfer in Transport Dept at crucial juncture starts rumours

Radhakrishnan, who remained as Health Secretary for seven years, was transferred to the Transport Department in February this year. After assuming charge in the Transport Department, Radhakrishnan, in his own style, has been visiting the Transport Corporation depots and terminus across the State and was hearing the grievances of workers.

Even though he has been the Principal Secretary of the Transport Department for only the past eight months, he won the hearts of the workers who are upset by his transfer. The immediacy of the transfer has also left tongues wagging, especially as the shift has happened at a time when the Transport Department is gearing up for the multi-crore procurement of electric and diesel buses, sources claimed.

The transfer of the secretary after tenders were floated for major procurement of the electric buses does make one wonder about the timing of the transfer, as the move to go electric is a major initiative by the State government, and is hardly a time to make major changes in the department.