OFF THE RECORD review on some of headlines…
Bureaucratic Changes in Maharashtra
So on January the 4th of 2019, 5 high profile officers complete 4 years at one designation. Dr. Nitin Kareer, Smt Manisha Mhaiskar, Manukumar Shrivastava, Vikas Kharge and Rajiv Jalota. Where do these people go for their next assignment? Well, we will come to know at the end of this month; but I have tried to get some inside information but let me say it on record, this is not the final verdict. You know our Chief Minister. He is one step ahead of everyone in terms of his decision making. Not even Amruta Vahini or a Sumit knows what happens tomorrow, forget we journalists. Moving on…
So who becomes the next Chief Secretary in January? Will it be Ajoy Mehta or UPS Madan claiming the top post? The whole of bureaucratic circle points towards Madan than the most awaited to be CS-Ajoy Mehta. Mehta seemed to be the next choice, but seniority seems to be going Madan’s way. Then how to compensate Mehta? Porwal is retiring this month, so ACS Home, the next best post, can be given to him, if and all Madan takes charge as the next CS. Now, what if Pravin Pardeshi wants to become the next CS? So the current CS, D.K. Jain will have to be given two extensions and directly Pardeshi can claim to become the next CS. First extension of 3 months, and then twice for one month for DK Jain. Then Pardeshi is “fit” to be become the next CS. Also, it is argued CM might want to “safeguard” Pardeshi as elections are nearing. The chances of him becoming the new BMC Commissioner are bright too…
In terms of Dr. Nitin Kareer, the request of him heading the public health department has been declined politely by the CM. Anyway, the request was done some 1.5 years ago by Kareer himself to the CM. The request was made owing to a “debacle” report of health department that was published in a leading newspaper that had disturbed the CM whilst he read it. Kareer himself a torch bearer of clean administration told CM that if we want our state to grow, education and public health are two departments that need to be in our control….he wanted to head Public health when he had already completed 3 years at the Urban Development. But now, it seems either becoming the new BMC Commissioner end of this month, or getting an extension at the same post at UD 1 or getting Revenue is what I feel Kareer will get.
Manisha Mhaiskar might get extension at the same UD -II or at the most she might given charge of Sales Tax Commissioner. She has been brilliant at the Smart City Project including handling Corporations of our state more than efficiently. Housing ACS Sanjay Kumar will be where he is. He won’t get UD-1 , that occupies Dr. Nitin Kareer now. In a surprise element, if and when Manisha Mhaiskar is shifted to Sales Tax, Thane Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal can be brought to UD-II. Ashwini Joshi, current excise Commissioner is lobbying for the Thane Municipal Commissioner pOst, which she might be granted. Deepak Kapoor admist all the rumours of getting changed will continue to be the SRA CEO.
Vikrant Hemant Joshi
