New Delhi [India], July 15 : Following a request from the Tamil Nadu government, the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has extended the tenure of Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar for a period of six months, effective from September 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027, according to an official order issued on Wednesday.
The central government stated that the extension was granted in accordance with Rule 16(1) of the AIS (DCRB) Rules, 1958.
Earlier, the Tamil Nadu government sought the extension of M. Sai Kumar from the central government on June 3, as the officer was set to retire on superannuation on August 31. Sai Kumar was appointed Chief Secretary by the Election Commission of India during the Assembly elections, succeeding N. Muruganandam.
"I am directed to refer to the proposal of Government of Tamil Nadu dated 03.06.2026 on the above-mentioned subject and to convey the approval of the Central Government for extension of service of Dr. M. Sai Kumar, IAS (TN:1990), Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu for a period of six months from 01.09.2026 to 28.02.2027 under Rule 16(1) of AIS (DCRB) Rules, 1958," said Kumar.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has expressed readiness to deploy more police personnel at the Keralam-Tamil Nadu border and place it under "complete police surveillance", Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Wednesday. Following a meeting with CM Vijay, the Keralam minister said that senior police and administrative officials have been directed to "further strengthen Operation Toofan", extending full support to the initiative aimed at curbing drug abuse.
Following a high-level meeting with CM Vijay, Chennithala stated that both states would work in tandem to dismantle drug mafias through enhanced intelligence sharing and border surveillance.

Speaking to the media about the meeting, Ramesh Chennithala said, "Operation Toofan has received the wholehearted support of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay. He has expressed his readiness to deploy police personnel along the Keralam-Tamil Nadu border and, at the same time, to facilitate intelligence sharing and information sharing."
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay paid floral tributes to the statue of former Chief Minister K Kamaraj on Mount Road in Chennai on the occasion of his 124th birth anniversary on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister offered flowers and paid homage to the late Congress leader, remembering his contributions to the state's development and the field of education.
Tamil Nadu BJP leaders also paid tribute to the Congress leader.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid rich tribute to K. Kamaraj on his birth anniversary, describing him as a "stalwart of India's freedom movement" and an "exceptional public figure" who dedicated his life to the service of the nation.
"Remembering Thiru K. Kamaraj Ji on his birth anniversary. A stalwart of India's freedom movement and an exceptional public figure, he dedicated his life to nation-building," PM Modi posted on X.
Kamaraj became Chief Minister of Madras in 1954. In 1963, he suggested to Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, that senior Congress leaders should leave ministerial posts to take up organisational work. This suggestion came to be known as the 'Kamaraj Plan'. He was honoured posthumously with India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1976.