The Tamil Nadu government today sacked Chief Secretary P Rama Mohana Rao, a day after the Income Tax department conducted raids at 13 different locations including his house and office in the state.
News agency ANI reported that IAS Girija Vaidyanathan has been transferred and posted as Chief Secretary of the government in place of Rao.
"Dr Girija Vaidyanathan IAS, Additional Chief Secretary/Commissioner of Land Administration, is transferred and posted as Chief Secretary to Government, vice Dr P Ramamohana Rao," a Public (Special A) Department order dated December 22 said.
Vaidyanathan shall also hold full additional charge of the post of Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner for Administrative Reforms, previously held by Rao, it said.
The raids, which started late on Wednesday night, yesterday triggered calls for his dismissal from service.
According to I-T officials, cash in new currency worth 30 lakh and 5 kg gold were seized from the raided premises, including the Secretariat. Searches were also conducted in several other places connected to his son and others.
Rao also holds the additional charge of Vigilance Commissioner and the Commissioner for Administrative Reforms. He was appointed to the post overlooking the seniority of several IAS officials.
The searches were linked to the earlier I-T raids on the residence of businessmen J Shekhar Reddy, Srinivasalu and Prem. The I-T department recently seized 177 kg of gold and cash totalling Rs 96 crore in old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and Rs 34 crore in new currency from the three.
A contractor, Reddy had reportedly executed a lot of work for the Tamil Nadu government and was considered close to the AIADMK establishment. The CBI arrested all three on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, nearly 24-hours after the raid at Rao’s office and residence, his son's office has been raided this morning.
Searches at Vivek Rao's office at Chamiers Road are still continuing. Sources say the taxmen are investigating the source of funding for the six companies that he established in 2012.
