Maharashtra Government Refutes Opposition Claims of Dispute Over BEST General Manager Appointment

The Maharashtra government has denied opposition claims regarding conflicting appointments for the BEST General Manager position. The post became vacant following the retirement of SVR Srinivas, leading to administrative changes amidst protests from the BEST Workers Union demanding gratuity payments.

The Maharashtra government clarified that the Urban Development (UD) department did not issue any order appointing IAS officer Ashwini Joshi as the general manager of BEST. This statement came after claims surfaced that two officials were appointed to the same position by different departments. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking provides electricity and public bus services in Mumbai.

As per official clarification, the post of BEST General Manager became vacant when SVR Srinivas retired on July 31. The General Administration Department (GAD), led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, issued an order on the same day to reassign the charge under the guidance of the Principal Secretary, Urban Development Department. However, before this could be finalized, a new order was issued on August 5, assigning the role to GST commissioner Ashish Sharma.

Political Tensions and Allegations

The opposition alleged a power struggle within the ruling alliance. They claimed that while the GAD assigned Ashish Sharma to the role, the UD department, headed by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, appointed additional municipal commissioner Ashwini Joshi. State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal shared two orders on social media, questioning if this was a "double gang war" within the government.

NCP SP leader Rohit Pawar criticized the BJP-led government over this issue. He suggested that a race had begun between CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Shinde to place their preferred candidate in the position. Pawar remarked that BEST staff are waiting to see when two chairs will be placed in the GM's cabin.

Union Protests and Administrative Moves

Amidst this administrative transition, BEST Workers Union announced a protest march demanding timely disbursement of gratuity payments. To manage the situation effectively, the Urban Development department initiated steps to temporarily assign Ashwini Joshi until regular orders could be issued by GAD. However, no official notification was ever issued for Joshi's appointment.

Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray accused the state government of deliberately undermining BEST. He criticized the lack of coordination between CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Shinde. Thackeray questioned why such decisions weren't discussed between them first and why GAD wasn't issuing these orders.

Public Concerns Over Governance

The public is left questioning whether this is a government or a turf war due to this struggle for lucrative positions. Thackeray expressed concern over Maharashtra's leadership, stating, "Imagine, if this basic coordination is so dead, these are the people who are supposed to be leading our State!" He described it as "the most corrupt and incompetent government that Maharashtra has seen."

A government official explained that typically when this post becomes vacant, it is immediately assigned to an additional commissioner until a regular GM is appointed by GAD. This standard procedure was disrupted by conflicting orders from different departments.

With inputs from PTI