AIADMK government wants former party MP as state information officers

CHENNAI: A retired district judge, a senior police officer, a senior advocate and a former Member of Parliament are among the five names recommended by the state government to the Governor for the posts of state information officers. Governor K Rosaiah on Saturday released the list of the five state information commissioners, including retired district judge S P Akbar, former MP Dr V Saroja, former AIADMK women wing joint secretary B Neelambikai, advocate P Tamilselvan and retired police officer Christopher Nelson.
The SICs, recommended by the state government on Friday to the Governor, will hold office for a term of five years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Government sources said two posts of state information commissioner fell vacant after Dr Sarada Nambi Arooran and R Perumalsamy retired while three other vacancies arose after the Madras high court quashed the notification appointing P A Ramiah, C Manoharan and A Arumuga Nainar.
After joining the Tamil Nadu secretariat service in 1974 and serving there for about ten years, Christopher Nelson joined state police service as DSP, law and order. He also served as SP and DIG in various districts for about ten years besides holding the post of IGP, refugee’s camp for three years before retiring from his service in March 2011. He was part of the team of police officers, involved in the sensational midnight arrest of DMK chief M Karunanidhi in June 2001.
A doctor by profession, Saroja, a former MP and MLA, held several posts in the state government. She was also member in various bodies, including Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Public Undertaking Committee and Petitions committee, besides serving as TAHDCO chairperson. She was also the AIADMK whip for Lok Sabha Parliamentary party.
Akbar served as State Transport Appellate chairman, principal district and session’s judge, Nagapattinam and Coimbatore districts. He was first district judge to be chosen as member sectary of the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority. Thamilselvan, a senior lawyer, was the member of bar council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for two terms. He was also a legal advisor to Metrowater. The other member Neelambikai was the former member of state public service commission.