16 names of PSs, OSDs rejected by Fadnavis for being 'fixers'

35 officials are under scrutiny for alleged corruption, including acting as middlemen

- Surendra P Gangan

MUMBAI: There are several reasons why chief minister Devendra Fadnavis took the unprecedented decision of turning down 16 recommendations of ministers for the post of their personal secretaries (PSs) and officers on special duty (OSDs). The people in question were rejected for a host of corrupt activities, from working as conduits for middlemen to taking a cut from contractors and builders to demanding a commission for promotions or recruitment either for themselves or on behalf of the ministers.

The 16 names have been rejected by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), based on scrutiny by various sources, the candidates' confidential reports, track records and complaints received about them. Over 28 names with dubious records are reportedly still under scrutiny. The opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday supported Fadnavis in his clean-up drive and demanded that the names of the 16 officers and the ministers seeking their appointment be made public in the interest of the state. Fadnavis, after taking over as leader of Mahayuti 2.0, decided to clean up the 'commission culture' right from the offices of ministers.

Officials said that based on the experiences during the first Mahayuti government, he had directed that all his ministers' PSs and OSDs be appointed only after scrutiny by the CMO.