Mumbai: In a significant administrative shake-up, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday transferred 10 senior bureaucrats to key posts across the state, officials said. The reshuffle includes top IAS officers taking charge of critical departments, municipal corporations, and development projects, reflecting the state’s focus on governance, urban transformation, and agricultural modernization.
Key Appointments
Lokesh Chandra (IAS 1993), currently Chairman and Managing Director of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, strengthening administrative support at the CM’s office in Mumbai.
Ashwini Bhide (IAS 1995), previously Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, has been posted as Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Bhide becomes the first woman bureaucrat to assume the charge of BMC Commissioner, taking over as the civic body implements several transformative projects for Mumbai.
Vikas Chandra Rastogi (IAS 1995), currently Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture), has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary of Financial Reforms, Finance Department, Mantralaya. His appointment aligns with the state government’s vision to achieve ‘Viksit Maharashtra’ by 2047, aiming for a $5 trillion economy.
Vinita Vaid Singal (IAS 1996), previously Principal Secretary of Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation, has been posted as Principal Secretary, Soil and Water Conservation Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai.
Agricultural and Rural Development Focus
Parimal Singh (IAS 2004), previously Project Director of Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjivanee Project (POCRA), has been posted as Secretary, Agriculture Department. He will implement the Maharashtra MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–2029, which has a Rs 500 crore outlay to integrate AI, Generative AI, and digital technologies in agriculture. The initiative aims to boost productivity by 40% and reduce fertiliser costs by 30%.
Tukaram Mundhe (IAS 2005), currently Divyang Kalyan Department Secretary, has been posted as Secretary, Disaster Management, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Revenue and Forest Department, Mantralaya.
Lahu Mali (IAS 2009) has been posted as Managing Director of Shivshahi Punarvasan Project Limited, Mumbai, while Manik Gursal (IAS 2009) takes over as Divyang Kalyan Department Secretary, Mantralaya.
Other Key Postings
Prerna Deshbhratar (IAS 2010), previously State Tax Joint Commissioner, has been appointed as State Fisheries Department Commissioner, Mumbai.
Prithviraj B.P. (IAS 2014), previously Additional Municipal Commissioner of Pune Municipal Corporation, has been posted as Municipal Commissioner of Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation.
Strategic Significance of the Reshuffle
The reshuffle demonstrates the Maharashtra government’s focus on administrative efficiency, urban development, and agricultural modernization. Senior officers have been strategically posted to oversee high-impact projects, including urban transformation in Mumbai and AI-driven agricultural reforms, aligning with long-term developmental goals.
