In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has transferred 14 officers holding the rank of Deputy Secretaries and Joint Secretaries across various departments. This decision follows the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s failure to comply with its directives regarding the transfer of government and police personnel who have served in the same district for three years or more.
Timing of Transfers
These transfers come just ahead of the ECI’s announcement regarding the schedule for the state Assembly elections, which is expected today. State Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik and State Director General of Police Rashi Shukla have assured the ECI of their commitment to adhere to the commission’s directives.
Key Transfers
Among the key transfers, the government has reassigned Vyankatesh Bhat, Joint Secretary in the Home Department, to the Industry, Energy, Labour and Mining Department. Atul Kide will move from the Revenue and Forest Department to the Planning Department, while Uddhav Dahiphale will transfer from the Water Resources Department to the Energy, Labour and Mining Department.
Also Read: Maharashtra Gears Up For Assembly Elections As Political Rivals Prepare For Battle
Joint Secretaries Sanjay Degavkar and Prashant Badgering will shift to the Public Works Department and Home Department, respectively.
Additional Reassignments
Other notable transfers include Santosh Khorgade from the Cooperation, Marketing and Textile Department to the Higher and Technical Education Department, and Kailas Bilonikar from the Chief Minister’s Office to the Water Resources Department. Mangesh Shinde, previously with the School Education Minister’s Office, will now join the Schools Education and Sports Department.
Deputy Secretary Changes
The government has also moved several Deputy Secretaries, including Satish Tidke to the Cooperation, Marketing and Textile Department, Sunil Tumbare to the General Administration Department, and Pandit Jadhav to the Home Department.
Additionally, the government will reassign Deputy Secretaries in the Chief Minister’s Office—Sachin Sahasrabudhe, Chandrashekhar Tarange, and Manojkumar Mahale—to the Rural Development Department, Home Department, and Revenue and Forest Department, respectively.
Broader Changes
In a further effort to align with ECI regulations as the election period approaches, the state government has also transferred 24 Under Secretaries from various departments.
