A BREAK WITH THE PAST
India Today|August 02, 2021
FIRST-TIME CHIEF MINISTER M.K. STALIN PROJECTS A REFRESHING FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE RATHER THAN POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY IN ADMINISTRATION
Amarnath K. Menon
A BREAK WITH THE PAST

In Tamil Nadu, where politics and cinema blend easily, the 100th day of an inaugural is a special occasion. Ahead of that milestone in office, first-time chief minister M.K. Stalin is determined to demonstrate that his government is a break with the past five decades of Dravidian rule in the state. Stalin, 68, is only the third chief minister from the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), after his father M. Karunanidhi and C.N. Annadurai earlier. The seventh-term MLA has rich experience in both politics and administration, having been a minister and deputy chief minister as well as a proactive opposition leader during the regimes of the rival AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam).

With the DMK alliance’s commanding victory in the assembly election in April (159 of 234 seats), Stalin leads a stable government and has the opportunity to reimagine Tamil Nadu’s development, both in vision and scale. “Tamil Nadu should become the most attractive industrial destination in South Asia and provide human capital to the world. There should be no economic or social disparity here,” he said on July 9 while addressing the first virtual meeting of the newly constituted Chief Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (CMEAC). Stalin emphasised that Tamil Nadu was ready for comprehensive and swift change and had the potential to emerge as a model state in the country. Growth, he added, should not be restricted to economic prosperity but should also usher in societal reforms and educational advancement. The members of the CMEAC are Nobel laureate economist Esther Duflo of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan; Arvind Subramanian, former chief economic advisor to the Union government; development economist Jean Drèze; and former Union finance secretary S. Narayan.

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHAUL

This story is from the August 02, 2021 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 02, 2021 edition of India Today.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM INDIA TODAYView All
WEAVE A STORY
India Today

WEAVE A STORY

Saree plays muse and material in this modern iteration

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
SIMPLE LIVING
India Today

SIMPLE LIVING

Spatial planning meets spirituality, and up-cyling meets unconventional design practices, in this Gurgaon home

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
HARMONY IN DESIGN
India Today

HARMONY IN DESIGN

Using principles of vaastu coupled with a creative interplay of open and closed spaces, this home in Vadodara is a welcome sight

time-read
2 mins  |
December 23, 2024
THE NEW ECO CHIC
India Today

THE NEW ECO CHIC

This home in Kerala is designed on the principles of climate responsive architecture

time-read
2 mins  |
December 23, 2024
Crafting a New Look
India Today

Crafting a New Look

A look at five festive artistic finds from Jaipur to brighten your celebrations

time-read
2 mins  |
December 23, 2024
NAMES TO KNOW
India Today

NAMES TO KNOW

From homes and offices to banquets and hotels, these architects and designers' approach to design is paving the way for some exciting spaces

time-read
3 mins  |
December 23, 2024
CHIC AND COSY
India Today

CHIC AND COSY

Let your indoor winter wonderland revel in bold bedding, quilted beauties and charming cushions

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
STEP INTO STYLE
India Today

STEP INTO STYLE

This winter, international collaborations are lending the Indian carpet industry a unique look underfoot

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
DECK THE HALLS
India Today

DECK THE HALLS

With this festive array of accessories, cushions and X'mas-themed decoratives

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
India Today

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Looking for Christmas inspiration? Here are plenty of ideas to steal and products to make it come to life.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024