In a rarest of the rare kind of case, a senior IAS officer was suspended by the Maharashtra government after orders for his suspension were issued by the pro-tem speaker of the state legislative assembly.
The orders were issued by pro-tem speaker Dilip Lande, a senior legislator from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, who issued the order for the suspension of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board secretary Devender Singh and its joint director Satish Padval for failing to attend a briefing held by environment minister Pankaja Munde.
There was a discussion over the issue of pollution and the measures initiated by the state government to control it. Pankaja Munde, being the minister, was asked to give a reply. Munde complained that the MPCB officials do not brief her on anything and don’t attend meetings when called.
Singh is an IAS officer of the 2011 batch, and MPCB is headed by Siddhesh Kadam of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena. Siddhesh Kadam and Pankaja Munde are not on good terms, and Kadam has instructed MPCB officials to report to him. Pankaja Munde is a BJP minister handling the environment portfolio.
BJP legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar took objection to the behaviour of the officials and called it ‘anti-democracy’. Mungantiwar said that the speaker should consider moving a breach of privilege motion against the IAS officer.
“A message must be given to officers, and this message should be seen as an example for the next 100 years,” said pro tem speaker Dilip Lande while he ordered the suspension. Lande also called it ‘gross negligence’ and an insult to the people of Maharashtra, who are represented by elected representatives.
The larger issue here is whether a pro tem speaker can order the suspension of any state government officers. Lande defended his action, stating that it did not matter whether he was the pro tem speaker. Lande said he was in the chair, and action was taken for not respecting the orders of the minister and not performing the duty.
