REVIEW - Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly - Tamil Nadu Government

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CHAPTER IV
THE GOVERNOR AND THE CABINET
THE GOVERNOR
Article 153 of the Constitution of India lays down that there shall be a
Governor for each State and he/she is appointed by the President by warrant
under his hand and seal as provided in Article 155.
The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. The term
of office of the Governor is five years from the date on which he enters upon
his office and continues after that period till his/her successor enters upon his
office.
Dr. M. Channa Reddy who was the Governor of Tamil Nadu during the
period of Tenth Assembly passed away on 2-12-1996 while in office.
Thiru Krishan Kant was appointed as Governor in-charge of Tamil Nadu.
He assumed charge on the 2nd December 1996 and continued till 25th January,
1997 F.N.
Justice Selvi M. Fathima Beevi was appointed as the Governor of
Tamil Nadu and assumed charge on the 25th January, 1997 A.N. and continued
as Governor during the period under Review.
However, during the period of her absence on pilgrimage to Haj from
26-2-2001 to 15-3-2001, Dr. C. Rengarajan assumed charge as the Governor of
Tamil Nadu.
THE CABINET
Clause (1) of Article 154 of the Constitution of India provides that the
executive powers of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be
exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in
accordance with the Constitution. Article 163 of the Constitution lays down
that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister as the head to
aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his function. The Chief Minister
is appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers are appointed by the
Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister as provided in clause (1) of Article
164 of the Constitution of India.
After the General Elections held on 27th April, 1996 and the 2nd May,
1996, the Governor appointed Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, as Chief Minister to
head the new Government with effect from the 13th May, 1996 F.N. The Governor
on the advice of the Chief Minister appointed Twenty-five more Ministers on
the same day.
The names of the Ministers with their portfolios are given below:-
1. Dr. M. Karunanidhi, Public, General Administration,
Chief Minister. Indian Administrative Service,
C.M. District Revenue Officers, Home,
Finance, Planning, Industries,
2. Prof. K. Anbazhagan,
Prohibition and Excise and Commercial
Taxes.
Education, including Technical
Minister for Education. Education, Legislature, Elections,
M (Edn.) Electronic Science and Technology,
Sports and Youth Service Corps and Ex-
Servicemen.
3. Thiru Arcot N. Veerasamy, Health, Medical Education and
Minister for Health and
Electricity. M (H & E)
Family Welfare and Electricity.
4. Thiru Nanjil K. Manoharan, Revenue, Board of Revenue, District
Minister for Revenue. Revenue Establishment and Deputy
Collectors.
5. Thiru Ko. Si. Mani, Municipal Administration, Community
Minister for Rural Development Development, Panchayats, Panchayat
and Local Administration. Unions and Rural Indebtedness and
M (RD & LA) Urban and Rural Water Supply.
6. Thiru Veerapandi S. Arumugam, Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering,
Minister for Agriculture. Agro Service Co-operatives,
M (A) Horticulture, Sugarcane Cess and
Sugarcane Development.
7. Thiru Duraimurugan, Public Works, Irrigation including
Minister for Public Works. Minor Irrigation and Programme
M (PW) Works.