Civil service lobby unhappy at mass reshuffle; even BJP minister criticise Fadnavis' arbitraty style of functioning
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' recent reshuffle of 42 IAS officers has not gone down well with the IAS lobby in Maharashtra.
Says a senior IAS official: “We are the executive and one of the important pillars of democracy. We have nothing to do with party politics... we should not been transferred unless we complete three years in a particular department.”
Similarly, a secretary of one of the crucial departments told dna on condition of anonymity: “We are not puppets in the hands of politicians to be shunted out any time at the whims and fancies of the chief minister. There is a lot of resentment in the IAS lobby because of this arbitrary reshuffle.”
Another IAS official who was transferred to a low-profile department said that he was brought into a particular department because of his talent and expertise.
“I had just completed two years in this department. But I was sent to a negligible department because I do not have political connections within the BJP. It is nothing but humiliation for me and my family. I do not want to take charge of the new department. I feel like leaving government service and joining the private sector with honour and respect,” he said.
Debashish Chakravarti, who was transferred from housing to school education, has also not taken charge yet.
After a week of uncertainty, on Monday, Ashwini Bhide was asked to continue heading the school education department till further orders. Bhide confirmed the development. She was the school education secretary till last week's reshuffle and is now the MD of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation. From this, it becomes clear that Chakravarti will not take charge of the department.
According to Mantralaya sources, everyone wants a “plum post”. “School education is a non-glamorous post. Politicians also avoid this portfolio,” said an official.
HRD minister Vinod Tawde himself is reportedly unhappy at not being consulted before transferring Bhide. On Chakravarti, he said: “I am ready to work with any officer. However, it seems Chakravarti is seeking some special work, instead of school education. A new person would be appointed in a week.”
Like IAS officials, ministers from the Shiv Sena and even from the BJP are also not happy with chief minister Fadnavis' arbitrary decision to transfer secretaries without consulting ministers.
“As a cabinet minister, the CM should consult us while taking crucial decisions like transfers. We, as ministers, should be comfortable working with secretaries, so that policy decisions can be taken in a better manner.
“Otherwise, I will propose and he (secretary) will dispose by throwing the law book. The state administration functions as per the Constitution. If the CM continues to take such arbitrary decisions, why have we got ministers and other functionaries?” a BJP minister told dna on condition of anonymity.
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