Maharashtra: Manoj Saunik appointed as Principal Advisor to CM

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday designated Manoj Saunik (IAS:1987:MH), former Chief Secretary, as the Principal Advisor to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Saunik retired from his position on December 31 last year after the central government declined to extend his term.

This marks the revival of the practice of appointing a Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, initiated by former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Ajoy Mehta was the first to hold this post under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership, followed by SJ Kunte. This practice was discontinued when the Shiv Sena-BJP government came to power.