Maharashtra government may consider scrapping of MAT

Home minister RR Patil announced to amend the law related to the transfer of the government officials and the act empowering the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT), after expressing his helplessness over the misuse of the protection given by the act. The proposal is expected to be brought before the state cabinet in next eight days.

Patil said that the protection given to the officials under the Maharashtra Government Servants’ Regulation of Transfers and Prevention of Delays in Discharge of Official Duties Act 2005 was grossly misused. He said that since the officers cannot be transfer before three years, they tend to act in a high-handed manner and the government has no right to transfer them on disciplinary grounds. “Similarly, the MAT crosses  scraps government’s transfer and suspension orders.”

“There are cases in which MAT has stayed the government’s suspension orders of cops involved in criminal offences. The suspension of the assistant commissioner of police Ashok Dhavale, who was recently suspended for peddling drugs, was stayed by the MAT,” he said. “The home department will recommend restrictions to the powers of the MAT.”

Responding to the suggestions by the speaker Dilip Walse Patil, the home minister said that the state will come clear on its stand  in the next eight days.