Monday, January 10 2005 20:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Dr J Radhakrishnan, known for his deft handling of crisis situations, has been posted as District Collector of Nagapattinam, which was severely hit by the December 26 Tsunami.

Radhakrishnan, the third collector to be transferred after the tidal waves struck Tamil Nadu, had earned accolades for the manner in which he managed last July's fire tragedy in a Kumbakonam School, which claimed the lives of about 90 children.

He exchanges place with M Veerashanmugamoni, who will now act as Thanjavur District Collector, an official press release said in Chennai today (Jan 10, 2005).

The Tsunami has claimed 6038 lives in Nagapattinam district.

The transfers come three days after Kanyakumari district collector Ramesh Chand Meena was transferred out in the allegations by some political parties, including MDMK (Marumallarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) chief Vaiko, that the collectors of Kanyakumari and Nagapattinam were conspicuous by their absence while relief and rescue works were on following the Tsunami.

Meena was replaced by Theni district collector Sunil Paliwal while the Director of Sericulture, Salem, Rajesh Lakhoni was posted in place of Paliwal.