In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Maharashtra government transferred eight IAS officers, including some senior officials.
2005 batch IAS officer Dhiraj Kumar has been appointed as the Secretary in the Medical Education Department, taking over the responsibilities from the outgoing Additional Chief Secretary, Dinesh Waghmare. Waghmare, an IAS officer of 1994 batch, has been appointed as the new State Chief Election Commissioner, a post that had been vacant since September 4, 2024.
In other key appointments, 2003 batch IAS officer Shaila A has been appointed as Secretary in the Finance Department, while Mangesh Awhad has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Maharashtra Medical Goods Purchase Authority.
2022 batch IAS officer Krishnakant Kanwariya has been transferred to the role of Additional District Collector at Shahada division in Nandurbar district.
1993 batch IAS officer Manisha Verma has been given the responsibility of Additional Chief Secretary in the Skill Development Department, and Ganesh Patil will now serve as Secretary in the Irrigation and Water Resources Department.
The reshuffle also includes important changes in the Finance Department, with 2003 batch IAS officer Shaila A, the former Secretary of Financial Reforms, being reassigned as the Secretary of Treasury and Accounts. Meanwhile, 1999 batch IAS officer Richa Bagla has been shifted from the Treasury and Accounts position to the role of Secretary of Financial Reforms.
The changes in the Finance Department are significant as Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar prepares to present the state budget for 2025-26 during the upcoming legislative session, which is set to begin on March 3. Pawar has already commenced pre-budget meetings with various departments.
Additionally, Mahesh Awhad, the Managing Director of Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation, has been moved to the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Maharashtra Medical Goods Procurement Authority.
Other notable appointments include 2021 batch IAS officer Suhas Gade, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Gadchiroli Zilla Parishad.