The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has withdrawn or changed several government orders and administrative decisions during its first few months in office. Some of these decisions were reversed after criticism from political parties, allies, activists and sections of the public.
The latest example involved the Public (Law and Order) Department and the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. On September 21, the government issued an order exempting the department from the RTI Act under Section 24(4), classifying it as an intelligence and security organisation. The order became a subject of public attention several days later.
Law Minister C. T. R. Nirmal Kumar defended the decision, saying that some information relating to sensitive matters, including communal clashes, needed protection. He also indicated that the government would reconsider the matter in response to public concerns.
On September 27, the government revoked the order. The reversal followed criticism from political groups, including members of the ruling alliance, as well as transparency advocates.
The RTI decision is one of several instances in which the new government has modified or withdrawn earlier decisions. Other reported cases include the withdrawal of a directive concerning student participation in political protests and the cancellation of an appointment to the Chief Minister’s office.
These developments have led to wider discussion about the government’s decision-making and administrative processes during its early months in office. Supporters and critics have offered different interpretations of the reversals, while the government has indicated in some cases that decisions can be reconsidered following public feedback.
The repeated changes have therefore become a notable feature of the Tamil Nadu government’s early administrative period, with the RTI order serving as the latest example.