Chief Minister Mr. Devendra Fadnavis has tasked IAS officer Mr. Vikas Kharge with investigating the controversial Pune land deal that has triggered political turbulence in Maharashtra. Mr. Kharge, widely respected in the state bureaucracy as “Mr. Dependable,” has been given one month to complete the probe into allegations surrounding Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Ajit Pawar’s son, Mr. Parth Pawar.
Also Read: Who Is Rajesh Aggarwal? Technocrat IAS Officer Poised to Become Maharashtra’s Next Chief Secretary
The deal in question involves Mr. Parth Pawar’s company, Amadeya Enterprises, allegedly purchasing government land worth Rs. 1,800 crore for just Rs. 300 crore. Amid political rhetoric, Nationalist Congress Party leader Mr. Sharad Pawar has emphasized that the investigation should reveal the full truth to the public. Mr. Ajit Pawar has maintained that the facts will eventually emerge, asserting that his son was unaware that the land belonged to the government.
IAS Officer Vikas Kharge: Maharashtra’s Reliable Bureaucrat
Mr. Vikas Kharge, Additional Chief Secretary in the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office, has become central to this high-profile investigation. Born in Vita, Sangli district, and raised in Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur, Mr. Kharge joined the 1994 IAS batch and has earned a reputation for integrity and diligence across multiple administrations, including Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde, and now Mr. Fadnavis.
A Career Marked by Achievement and Public Service
Mr. Kharge began his career as Assistant Collector in Chandrapur, later serving as CEO in Nagpur and Chandrapur, and Collector of Yavatmal, where he gained recognition from then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for enhancing literacy rates. He also contributed culturally as Principal Secretary/ACS (Cultural Affairs) by composing Maharashtra’s official state song, “Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha.”
Currently heading the Revenue Department, Mr. Kharge is known for avoiding controversies and maintaining an image of reliability and dedication. He is married to Ms. Meenakshi Kharge and has two sons, Mr. Venkatesh and Mr. Manish.
