Ex-Cabinet Secy Subramanian passes away

Noida, February 26

TSR Subramanian, who served as Cabinet Secretary in the United Front government headed by HD Deve Gowda in the mid-1990s and was responsible for clearing Bt Cotton as Textiles Secretary, died here on Monday of natural causes. He was 79.

The former bureaucrat, who was ailing for some time, died at his residence here around 3.30 am, a close relative said. Subramanian was a 1961-batch officer of the UP cadre. He served as Cabinet Secretary from August 1996 to March 1998.

Earlier, Subramanian was Textiles Secretary at the Centre and was responsible for clearing genetically modified variety of cotton — a decision which a few years ago he regretted. Subramanian was sent to UP as Chief Secretary in 1992 in the aftermath of Babri Masjid demolition, when emotions were running high in the state.

After his retirement, he headed a committee to form national education policy which was submitted to the government in 2016 but was not accepted. The Supreme Court decision, which stipulated for a fixed tenure for bureaucrats, was initiated by a petition filed by Subramanian.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over his death. — IANS