CHENNAI:
Former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was particular on ensuring all his decisions are implemented and he will pursue it till the end and one could expect even a midnight wake-up call from him asking about the status of project or implementing the order, recall bureaucrats, who worked with him.
K S Sripathi, former chief secretary under then Karunanidhi regime, says that the former chief minister was keen on development of the infrastructure of the state and the current airport expansion which is happening was approved during his period despite issues pertaining to acquisition of defence land. "He never interfered with the officialdom and was keen to get the things done," said Sripathi.
During my tenure there was a false tsunami alert. “I got a call from him at 1am. He used call me CS Sir. He wanted me to alert the district collectors. At that time he was unwell also,” recalls Sripathi. Even during the floods in 2009, he waited for me to reach Gopalapuram from my abode in Mogappair. “He was a pragmatic person and I cherish those moments working with him,” the former chief secretary said.
Sripathi says although there are rumours that Karunanidhi was anti-Brahmin or anti-Hindutva, he never showed such attitude in work and I am a example being from one of the community.
Former Tamil Nadu health secretary V K Subburaj, who is now member of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), recalled the health insurance scheme implemented during DMK regime and how it was mooted by Karunanidhi. "The then chief minister was following the health insurance scheme in Andhra Pradesh and one fine day dispatched me immediately to Andhra Pradesh to study the model and replicate it in the state. After studying it, I said it would cost Rs 650 crore to the exchequer to which he said finance is not a constraint and asked it to be implemented immediately," said Subburaj.
He also recalled a meeting with secretaries when the former chief minister came and whispered in his ears. One of the secretary was keen to know what transpired. “I was warned that if a person dies without getting access to doctor or hospital or due to shortage in medicines, it will be a big insult to Chief Minister," said Subburaj.
Subburaj also recalled how particular was Karunanidhi in implementing his orders. "The doctors sought increase in salaries and were planning to go on strike the next day. It was at 7.30pm, I got a call asking about whether the file pertaining to rise in doctors salaries have been cleared. I told him that it was with the minister. Immediately, he summoned the minister who was travelling near Chengalpattu by train to his home with the file," Subburaj recalled.
"By 8.30pm, the minister came with the file. Karunanidhi approved the file and asked us to prepare the press note at his residence downstairs immediately. It was by 10pm, we finished the press note after which he gave his concurrence. But that was not all. He wanted us to ensure it reached all the media. At 11.30pm, he went upstairs and after five to 10 minutes he came down. The Murasoli has got the press release. Now you can go,” recalls Subburaj.
“Working with him was pleasure. He is a very demanding person. He ensures all decisions are implemented,” said Subburaj adding that his demise is a great loss to the state and nation
Former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was particular on ensuring all his decisions are implemented and he will pursue it till the end and one could expect even a midnight wake-up call from him asking about the status of project or implementing the order, recall bureaucrats, who worked with him.
K S Sripathi, former chief secretary under then Karunanidhi regime, says that the former chief minister was keen on development of the infrastructure of the state and the current airport expansion which is happening was approved during his period despite issues pertaining to acquisition of defence land. "He never interfered with the officialdom and was keen to get the things done," said Sripathi.
During my tenure there was a false tsunami alert. “I got a call from him at 1am. He used call me CS Sir. He wanted me to alert the district collectors. At that time he was unwell also,” recalls Sripathi. Even during the floods in 2009, he waited for me to reach Gopalapuram from my abode in Mogappair. “He was a pragmatic person and I cherish those moments working with him,” the former chief secretary said.
Sripathi says although there are rumours that Karunanidhi was anti-Brahmin or anti-Hindutva, he never showed such attitude in work and I am a example being from one of the community.
Former Tamil Nadu health secretary V K Subburaj, who is now member of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), recalled the health insurance scheme implemented during DMK regime and how it was mooted by Karunanidhi. "The then chief minister was following the health insurance scheme in Andhra Pradesh and one fine day dispatched me immediately to Andhra Pradesh to study the model and replicate it in the state. After studying it, I said it would cost Rs 650 crore to the exchequer to which he said finance is not a constraint and asked it to be implemented immediately," said Subburaj.
He also recalled a meeting with secretaries when the former chief minister came and whispered in his ears. One of the secretary was keen to know what transpired. “I was warned that if a person dies without getting access to doctor or hospital or due to shortage in medicines, it will be a big insult to Chief Minister," said Subburaj.
Subburaj also recalled how particular was Karunanidhi in implementing his orders. "The doctors sought increase in salaries and were planning to go on strike the next day. It was at 7.30pm, I got a call asking about whether the file pertaining to rise in doctors salaries have been cleared. I told him that it was with the minister. Immediately, he summoned the minister who was travelling near Chengalpattu by train to his home with the file," Subburaj recalled.
"By 8.30pm, the minister came with the file. Karunanidhi approved the file and asked us to prepare the press note at his residence downstairs immediately. It was by 10pm, we finished the press note after which he gave his concurrence. But that was not all. He wanted us to ensure it reached all the media. At 11.30pm, he went upstairs and after five to 10 minutes he came down. The Murasoli has got the press release. Now you can go,” recalls Subburaj.
“Working with him was pleasure. He is a very demanding person. He ensures all decisions are implemented,” said Subburaj adding that his demise is a great loss to the state and nation
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