Nalini Netto, who was the Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, resigned from her post on Tuesday. A difference of opinion with some of the Chief Minister’s personal staff was reported to be the reasons behind her resignation. Some reports also said that important files were not handed over to Nalini because of the alleged cold war between the CM’s personal staff and her. However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday that Nalini NEtoo resigned herself as she felt it was not appropriate to continue in office as her brother had been appointed to the CM's office.
Former Income Tax Commissioner R Mohanan, was appointed as the Chief Minister’s private secretary. Mohanan had replaced M V Jayarajan, who stepped down after being elected the CPI(M)'s Kannur District Secretary. Nalini Netto's resignation came a day before Mohanan's appointment.
"A lot of newspapers reported that the Chief Minister’s Chief Principal Secretary resigned due to differences with staff in his house. Now you know what the truth is," the Chief Minister said.
Mathrubhumi had reported, some high profile files pertaining to a tax payment of Harrisons Malayalam Limited, one of the largest producers of tea, and that related to the opening of certain quarries were not handed over to Nalini. It was reportedly being managed by some members of Chief Minister’s personal staff and this created tensions between them.
However, according to The Hindu, some government officials said that Nalini had sought permission to resign from the post earlier because due to personal reasons.
Nalini Netto, who was the first woman Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, was an IAS officer of 1981 batch. She was earlier the Chief Secretary under the Pinarayi Vijayan government. After retirement from the Chief Secretary post, she was soon appointed as the Chief Principal Secretary in 2016.
Reports also said that Nalini Netto had informed about her resignation to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the office staff on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, she submitted her official resignation letter to the Chief Minister.
A few months ago, Chief Minister’s economic advisor Gita Gopinath had resigned from the post as she was appointed as the Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). No appointments have so far been made in the post of economic advisor to the Chief Minister.
Note: This story published on March 13, has been updated on March 14.