The Secretariat

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THE SECRETARIAT

The business of the Tamil Nadu Government is carried out through various departments,
collectively known as the Secretariat. These departments handle different sectors of
governance, ensuring the smooth functioning of the state administration. Below is a
detailed list of the Secretariat Departments and their roles:

1. Agriculture Department: Focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity and


supporting farmers through various schemes and policies.

2. Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department: Ensures the welfare of


livestock and the development of fisheries for food security and economic growth.

3. Adi-Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department: Works towards the socio-


economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

4. Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes Welfare Department:


Implements welfare measures for backward classes and other disadvantaged
communities.

5. Commercial Taxes Department: Manages the collection of taxes like GST, sales
tax, and excise duties.

6. Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department: Oversees


cooperative societies, food distribution systems, and consumer rights.

7. Energy Department: Handles energy production, distribution, and renewable


energy initiatives.

8. Environment and Forest Department: Protects natural resources, manages


forests, and promotes environmental sustainability.

9. Finance Department: Oversees the state’s financial planning, budgeting, and


resource allocation.

10. Higher Education Department: Regulates universities and colleges, ensuring


quality education and research.

11. Housing and Urban Development Department: Plans and executes housing
projects and urban infrastructure development.

12. Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department: Promotes


traditional crafts and supports artisans.

13. Health and Family Welfare Department: Ensures public health services and
family welfare programs.

14. Home Department: Manages law enforcement and internal security.

15. Highways Department: Develops and maintains road infrastructure.

16. Industries Department: Promotes industrial growth and investment.


17. Information and Tourism Department: Disseminates government information
and promotes tourism.

18. Labor and Employment Department: Addresses labor welfare, employment


generation, and skill development.

19. Law Department: Provides legal advice and drafts legislation.

20. Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department: Ensures urban


local body governance and water supply management.

21. Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department: Manages civil services


and administrative reforms.

22. Planning and Development Department: Formulates and monitors


development plans and policies.

23. Prohibition and Excise Department: Regulates alcohol distribution and


enforces prohibition laws.

24. Public Department: Handles public relations and government correspondence.

25. Public Works Department: Constructs and maintains public infrastructure.

26. Revenue Department: Manages land revenue, disaster relief, and welfare
schemes.

27. Rural Development Department: Promotes rural development and poverty


alleviation programs.

28. Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department: Implements


welfare schemes for women, children, and marginalized groups.

29. Small Industries Department: Encourages the growth of small and medium
enterprises.

30. School Education Department: Oversees primary and secondary education


systems.

31. Tamil Development-Culture Department: Promotes Tamil language, literature,


and cultural heritage.

32. Transport Department: Regulates public transportation and road safety


measures.

The distribution of responsibilities among these departments is specified in the Tamil


Nadu Government Business Rules.

Note: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Secretariat functions independently under
the administrative control of the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY


The Chief Secretary is the senior-most civil servant in the state and ensures the effective
functioning of the Secretariat. In addition to regular administrative duties, the Chief
Secretary has the following special responsibilities:

1. Supervising the overall operations of


the Secretariat.

2. Administering the Secretariat buildings,


including room allocations within Fort
St. George.

3. Managing shared resources like the


Secretariat Library, as well as the
conservancy and security staff (vide
G.O.Ms.No.236, P&AR(A)Dept., dated
27.12.1999).

4. Overseeing staff attached to Ministers.

5. Organizing and attending meetings of


the Council of Ministers.

6. Addressing matters not explicitly


assigned to other Secretaries.

THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

The position of Principal Secretary in the Indian


government is typically held by senior civil
servants, most commonly those belonging to
the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

 These individuals serve as the


administrative heads of departments
within state governments, overseeing
the day-to-day operations and policy
implementation of their respective ministries or agencies.
 Within the state government hierarchy, a Principal Secretary ranks above a
Secretary but below the designations of Additional Chief Secretary and Chief
Secretary.
 This position carries significant responsibility and influence in shaping and
executing government policies at the state level.
 Furthermore, Principal Secretaries can be deputed to the central government,
where they may serve as Joint Secretaries to the Government of India.
 This inter-governmental mobility provides valuable experience and opportunities
for career advancement within the Indian civil service.
THE SECRETARIES TO GOVERNMENT

Each Secretariat Department is headed by a Secretary to Government. The Secretary


acts as the administrative head of the department and ensures that its functions align
with the state’s policies and laws. Key duties include:

 Policy Implementation: Ensuring adherence to the Business Rules and


Secretariat Instructions.

 Supervision: Managing subordinate officers, including Special Secretaries,


Additional Secretaries, and Joint Secretaries.

 Delegation: Assigning responsibilities to ensure efficiency.

 Consultation: Handling critical policy matters in consultation with senior officials.

Note: The Secretary is responsible to the Government, not the Minister in charge of the
department (vide G.O.Ms.No.198, P&AR(A)Dept., dated 03.06.2004).

ROLES OF JOINT SECRETARY AND DEPUTY SECRETARY

The Joint Secretary and Deputy Secretary play vital roles in departmental operations by:

 Handling specific subjects assigned by the Secretary.

 Submitting cases for approval by higher authorities.

 Supervising sections under their jurisdiction to ensure discipline and timely


completion of tasks.

ROLE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY

Under Secretaries oversee departmental sections, ensuring:

 Efficient management of business operations.

 Maintenance of staff discipline.

 Proper dispatch of departmental correspondence.

SECTION OFFICERS

Section Officers lead individual sections within a department. Their responsibilities


include:

 Supervising Assistant Section Officers (ASOs).

 Managing files and correspondence related to assigned subjects.

 Training ASOs and ensuring they prioritize tasks effectively.

 Personally handling complex or critical matters (vide G.O.Ms.No.5, P&AR(A)Dept.,


dated 14.01.2008).
ASSISTANT SECTION OFFICERS, ASSISTANTS, PERSONAL CLERKS, AND TYPISTS

 Assistant Section Officers: Draft notes, maintain registers, and support overall
departmental functions.

 Assistants: Handle routine tasks like dispatching, indexing, and filing.

 Personal Clerks and Typists: Provide essential clerical and administrative


support.

PERSONAL STAFF HIERARCHY

The personal staff in the Tamil Nadu Secretariat is categorized into three levels:

1. Level A: Principal Private Secretary (Deputy Secretary Grade)

2. Level B: Senior Private Secretary and Private Secretary

3. Level C: Personal Assistant, Senior Personal Clerk, and Personal Clerk

Principal Private Secretary (Deputy Secretary Grade):

The Principal Private Secretary is a senior-level officer with administrative


responsibilities. Their tasks include:

 Scheduling appointments, meetings, and conferences.

 Managing routine correspondence, preferably through email.

 Recording minutes of confidential meetings.

 Handling telephone calls and visitors.

 Undertaking any special duties assigned by the officer they assist.

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