MUMBAI: M Devender Singh, an IAS officer of the 2011 batch, has been suspended by the Maharashtra government pending disciplinary proceedings. Singh, who served as the member secretary of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), was suspended on Friday following a directive from pro-tem Speaker Dilip Lande. The suspension came after environment minister Pankaja Munde informed the legislative assembly that Singh had failed to attend ministerial briefings despite several reminders. Speaking on the matter, BJP MLA Sudhir Mungatiwar said This kind of insubordination by officials is a murder of democracy and such officials must be suspended. He also added that the Speaker must move a breach of privilege motion against Singh suo motu. The swift suspension of Singh, along with MPCB joint director Satish Padval, raised eyebrows in political circles, as the MPCB is headed by Siddhesh Kadam of the Shiv Sena, a ruling ally. Pro-tem Speaker Lande, himself a Shiv Sena MLA, said, “It doesn’t matter that I was merely a pro-tem Speaker. I was in the chair, and action was taken for not respecting the orders of a minister and not doing one’s duty.” Following the order, a file recommending the suspension was placed before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and action was taken within a day. On Friday, Sudhir Mungatiwar moved a breach of privilege motion against the MPCB for allegedly failing to adhere to the minister’s directions. Singh’s suspension underscores the growing tensions between bureaucrats and elected representatives in Maharashtra, highlighting accountability and discipline within state administrative bodies.(With Agency Inputs)
