CM to Screen Hiring of Ministers' Assistants

In a bid to keep corrupt staff out of ministerial establishments, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has made it mandatory for all the ministers in his government to get the approval of his office before appointing their personal assistants (PAs) and officers on special duty (OSDs).

- Pradip Kumar Maitra and Faisal Malik

NAGPUR/MUMBAI:

The chief minister said he has made it clear that he would remain firm and not blindly accept recommendations even if his stance upset the ministers.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Fadnavis revealed that his office had approved 109 out of 125 recommendations for PAs and OSDs made by cabinet ministers, rejecting those with questionable backgrounds. "I have not cleared the remaining names because there are allegations against them. Also, a few investigations are ongoing in some cases. Therefore, even if someone is upset, I will not approve such names," Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis was responding to the comments made by state agriculture minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Manikrao Kokate, who had expressed his displeasure over the matter, saying there were barely any decisions left for cabinet ministers to take.