CHENNAI: Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan movie producer and businessman Venkat Narayana K has been appointed as a special representative of the Tamil Nadu govt in New Delhi.“Sanction is accorded for the creation of a temporary post of special representative of the govt of Tamil Nadu in New Delhi for a period of one year,” said chief secretary M Sai Kumar in an order dated June 23.The terms and conditions of Narayana’s appointment would be issued later, added the said chief secretary.It may be recalled that Narayana accompanied Vijay when he called on Governor R V Arlekar in May to stake claim to form the govt.MP flays govtDMK Rajya Sabha member P Wilson criticised the TVK govt appointing a film producer as the state govt’s special representative in Delhi as it would “belittle” the position and make the state a “laughingstock” in the national capital.According to him, the post is a significant one that bridges the Union and state govts, with the responsibility of safeguarding the state’s rights. While the state govt has the discretion to choose, he argued it should not come at the cost of the state’s interest.“The role and responsibility of the state’s special representative is to coordinate with the Union govt and ministers, schedule the CM’s meetings when he is Delhi, and pass on information on key developments regarding the Union govt’s policies, and their perspective on the state govt. It also carries the responsibility of aiding MPs from the state with documents and information during parliament sessions,” Wilson said.AIADMK’s Thalavai N Sundaram, who was the special representative of the state in Delhi between 2017 and 2021, said the post is equivalent to cabinet minister’s rank. It focuses on strengthening the relationship between the Centre and the state and to coordinate key operations. “The responsibilities include meeting with secretaries in all Union ministries to secure funds and speed up project approvals. The position also involves scheduling and organising meetings for the CM and state ministers with the Prime Minister and other Union ministers, as well as delivering official letters from the CM’s office directly to the PMO to resolve state issues,” he said.
