The state government on Tuesday relieved Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sudhakar Shinde, who had completed his deputation tenure and was overstaying in his posting. Despite a request for an extension by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a cabinet committee of the union government rejected it.
Sudhakar Shinde joined the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in June 2023, overseeing health, solid waste management, and the western suburbs. He also led the BMC’s deep cleaning program. An IRS officer since 2007, Shinde initially worked in the Income Tax Department before deputation to the state. He served as the municipal commissioner of Panvel and CEO of the Mahatma Phule Jeevandayi Yojana, a state scheme providing free treatment to poor patients at private hospitals. His impressive work during the pandemic earned him the role of additional commissioner in BMC, a position typically held by IAS officers. His prolonged stay in BMC caused discontent among many IAS officers and drew criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) in the state legislature.
Shinde’s first extension was recommended by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, followed by another from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. However, his official deputation period, which began on November 24, 2015, expired on November 23, 2023. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) conveyed on July 26, 2024, that the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) did not approve an extension beyond this date.
Shinde was ordered to hand over his responsibilities immediately and rejoin his parent cadre on Wednesday. The CBDT had previously extended his three-year deputation by another four years until November 23, 2022. An additional year was granted until November 23, 2023, upon Deputy CM Fadnavis’s request. Although CM Eknath Shinde sought an extension until November 22, 2027, the finance minister only approved it until May 31, 2024. Ultimately, the ACC rejected the final extension proposal
