Chakolath Ramachandran (born in Ottapaalam, Kerala, May 15, 1938), senior IAS officer, was former Principal Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, Industries Department. Ramachandran was Industries Secretary when Ms Jayalalitha was the Chief Minister during the years 1991-96.

Achievements

An officer of the Indian Administrative Service,and was chief secretary designate.He also held posts such as chairman and managing director, TIDCO(Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd.); Chairman,Tamil nadu petroproducts ltd. (TNPL); Government of Tamil Nadu, and a member of the state planning commission.
MR C Ramachandran joined the board of directors of Tamilnadu Petroproducts Ltd. On May 26,2001 and was inducted as an Additional Director of the company. A resolution was placed before the shareholders at the TPL's forthcoming AGM, held on August 30, to appoint Mr Ramachandran as a director of the company.
He is often known as the man who brought Ford to India.

Disinvestment case[2206]

However a special judge trying corruption cases on Tuesday,December 25,2000 framed charges of criminal conspiracy and corruption against former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha, industrialist A C Muthiah and Mr.Ramachandran in the Rs 282.9 million 'SPIC disinvestment case'.Jayalalitha, Muthiah and C Ramachandran, appeared before Judge A C Arumugaperumal Adithan and pleaded 'not guilty' when the charges against them were read out.The CBI, in its chargesheet filed, alleged that Jayalalitha and Ramachandran 'abused their position as public servants' to favour then SPIC chairman, the late M A Chidambaram and Muthiah by first letting Chidambaram become the company's chairman and then by deciding to renounce TIDCO's rights when the issue was announced.

Special Judge R. Rajamanickam on Jan 23,2004 gave his ruling in a crowded court hall, acquitted Ramachandran ,Jayalalitha and Muthiah as well. He said that the CBI had failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt and hence awarded the benefit of the doubt to the accused. He found all the accused not guilty. The Special Judge held that the sanction granted for prosecuting Jayalalithaa and Ramachandran was not valid.The Special Judge found that Chidambaram and Muthiah received no monetary advantage (in acquiring the rights). The State government did not suffer any loss because it had followed "The Economic Times formula", which was a well-accepted method for fixing share prices. There was evidence to show that Mr.Ramachandran had applied his mind to the subject matter, that TIDCO's decision to renounce was right, that procedure was followed in the matter, and that neither the government nor TIDCO suffered any financial loss because of the renunciation

The Judge said that sanction to prosecute Jayalalithaa and Ramachandran was given without the Governor's approval. (The Governor has to accord sanction for prosecuting Ministers and IAS officers.) A prosecution witness had given evidence to the effect that after the GOs were issued sanctioning the prosecution of Jayalalithaa and Ramachandran, the CBI wanted some amendments made in them. So a new order was issued granting prosecution. But the second (new) order did not go to the Governor, the witness said. The Governor's approval was not received for canceling the earlier GO either. Hence, it was clear that the new order was issued without the Governor's approval, the Judge said.

Jayalalithaa came out of the court hall looking pleased. Mr.Ramachandran, however, did not speak to the media. Muthiah said, "Truth has prevailed."

At present

Mr.Ramachandran now works with as director,Elnet Technologies[2207],Leo utility and power,ETL Infrastructure Services,SPIC Petrochemicals,Elnet Software City and chairman of the Audit Committee,Tamilnadu Petroproducts Limited[2208]as well as management consultant to the Indian Council of Arbitration(ICA)[2209]He is a Hindu Nair born near trissur and studied at the madras Christian college.