In a dramatic turn of events inside the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the state government on Friday suspended IAS officer M Devender Singh, Member Secretary of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), pending disciplinary proceedings. The action followed allegations that he failed to attend ministerial briefings despite repeated reminders.
The suspension order was issued a day after Assembly Speaker Dilip Lande directed the government to act against the officer during proceedings in the House.
Minister Flags Repeated Absence
Environment Minister Pankaja Munde informed the Assembly that Singh had not attended scheduled briefings and allegedly conveyed that he would not appear for the meeting. Her statement triggered sharp reactions from ruling party legislators.
Singh, a 2011-batch IAS officer, was serving as Member Secretary of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board at the time of the controversy.
Assembly Speaker Orders Immediate Action
Taking serious note of the development, Dilip Lande directed that the officer be suspended and asked the government to inform the House about the action taken.
The suspension order, issued under Rule 3(1)(a) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, stated that disciplinary proceedings were being contemplated against Singh and placed him under immediate suspension.
‘Insult to the Constitution’: Mungantiwar
Senior BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar termed the alleged conduct a “cold-blooded murder of democracy” and demanded strict action. He urged the Speaker to move a breach of privilege motion against the officer suo motu.
“Nothing can be more serious than this. If officers do not show up to brief a Cabinet minister, it is an insult to the Constitution. Such officials must be suspended and punished,” he said during the Assembly debate.
Mungantiwar also stressed that a strong message must be sent across the bureaucracy, asserting that ministers deserve institutional respect and that administrative accountability must be upheld.
Political and Administrative Fallout
The swift suspension — ordered on Thursday and implemented by Friday — underscores the gravity with which the Assembly viewed the matter. The incident has sparked fresh debate on bureaucratic accountability, legislative privilege, and the relationship between elected representatives and civil servants in Maharashtra.
The state government is expected to initiate formal disciplinary proceedings against the officer in accordance with service rules.
