With over a dozen IAS officers facing Adarsh probe, Prithviraj Chavan plans to make major changes in bureaucracy in phased manner.
The state government has replaced chief secretary JP Dange with MMRDA chief Ratnakar Gaikwad. Gaikwad’s name was in the reckoning with front-runner Rajeev Aggarwal, who is currently serving on deputation in Delhi.
Dange, it is learnt, would be suitably rehabilitated. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan is likely to effect other major changes in the bureaucracy, albeit in a phased manner.
On Monday, the chief minister initiated the changes beginning with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Municipal Commissioner Swadheen Kshatriya was replaced with senior IAS officer Subodh Kumar. Kshatriya was suitably posted as principle secretary in the revenue department at Mantralaya.
A posting in the ministry of revenue is extremely significant in the backdrop of the tough and sensitive land acquisition process for special projects. The department ranks among the top with finance and home departments in the state administration.
The biggest concern for Chavan, however, is to effect the changes within the government without inviting wrath from alliance partner NCP. Although reshuffling IAS officers is his prerogative, the chief minister has been extremely cautious in making the changes.
Sources indicated that some changes in the CMO cannot be ruled out. After taking charge, Chavan had handpicked additional municipal commissioner Ashish Kumar Singh for his office. High on the list is the name of Bhushan Gagarani who could also be elevated to the CMO gradually, if not immediately. Director general of information and public relations Vijay Nahata, who has been promoted to secretary rank, may also be shifted to other department.
In view of almost a dozen IAS officers facing Adarsh housing scam probe, Chavan will have to be careful while hand picking officers for key posts. Insiders said that a majority of those whose names have figured in the scam are experienced administrators. Former BMC commissioner Jairaj Phatak whose name has been linked to the scam was till recently being tipped as the future chief secretary. Now, the government will have to wait for the probe before it can take any decision regarding his next posting in Mantralaya.
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