Maharashtra government transfers eight Adarsh-tainted babus

Mumbai: Maharashtra Government has effected transfer of eight IAS officers, including recently-reinstated bureaucrats Jairaj Phatak and Pradeep Vyas, allegedly involved in the Adarsh Housing scam. Phatak, a 1978 batch IAS officer, has been posted as Managing Director of Maharashtra Petrochemicals Corporation LTD, Mumbai, while Pradeep Vyas, a 1989-batch bureaucrat has been posted as member secretary of Rest of Maharashtra Statutory Development Board. A fortnight ago, the state government had reinstated these two senior bureaucrats, who had been suspended two years ago (on March 22, 2012) despite their alleged role in the Adarsh housing scam. [caption id=“attachment_1299341” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Adarsh building. AFP image[/caption] According to a Government Resolution (GR), a government employee cannot be suspended for more than two years. However, the criminal proceedings and departmental inquiries will continue against the two officers. While the CBI found that Phatak’s son Kanishk had a flat in the posh South Mumbai society, Vyas’s wife Seema, herself an IAS officer, had a flat in her name. The two were jailed for more than two months. Phatak was a member secretary of a statutory board before his suspension, while Vyas was Finance Secretary. A show-cause notice has been served on both of them on 19 May. The case in High Court pertains to whether the CBI has jurisdiction in the matter. Phatak, a former Mumbai municipal commissioner, was responsible for clearing an additional floor for the Adarsh building without the requisite sanctions, while Vyas was the Collector of Mumbai when the land was allotted to the controversial Adarsh Society in 2003. The two were also indicted by a Judicial Commission headed by Justice JA Patil. Meanwhile, another bureaucrat AB Kulkarni, who was awaiting posting, has been made the Managing Director of Maharashtra State Finance Corporation. Manisha Verma, who completed her stint on central deputation, is now Secretary and Commissioner (investment and protocol) Maharashtra Sadan, Delhi. AB Patil has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) in place of Sonali Ponkshe Waingankar. Waingankar has been shifted as the Additional Divisional Commissioner, Nashik. Sanjay Khandare will now be the Vice President and Managing Director Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). SP Kadu Patil has been appointed as the Secretary Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission. Most of these officers were awaiting new postings. PTI