A week after a top bureaucrat was removed for poor performance, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is preparing to overhaul the state’s entire bureaucracy and police force in response to their dismal performance. This move will be the first major shake-up in recent times, with new postings based on the officers’ work over the past decade.
During his previous term as Chief Minister (2014-2019), Fadnavis was known for selecting bureaucrats and IPS officers based on their past performance, ensuring that only clean and honest officials were assigned to key roles. However, the political landscape shifted between 2019 and 2024, first with Uddhav Thackeray’s tenure and then under Eknath Shinde’s leadership. During this period, many of the state’s senior bureaucrats and IPS officers were retained in critical positions, despite the deteriorating law and order situation and worsening financial conditions.
Now, with Fadnavis back in charge and supported by Shinde and Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, the primary focus will be on navigating the state out of its financial crisis. The state’s debt has soared to Rs 8 lakh crore, and Fadnavis faces the daunting task of restoring confidence in the government while addressing pressing fiscal challenges.
Senior bureaucrats believe that Fadnavis’ reshuffle will bring a much-needed reset, but they also stress the importance of ensuring that no single bureaucrat monopolizes key departments. They recommend that all new postings be rotated and suggest that IAS officers in infrastructure roles be given the opportunity to work in the social sector and vice-versa, fostering a more dynamic and well-rounded administration.
