The Maharashtra government has put speculations of an extension of incumbent Chief Secretary Manu Kumar Srivastava (IAS:1986:MH) to rest by appointing him as the new Chief Commissioner, Right to Guarantee of Services (RGS) on Thursday. After retiring, he will be in charge of the post. Now the question is who will succeed Srivastava when he hangs his boot on April 30? According to the seniority among IAS officers in the cadre and the gossip in Maharashtra’s power corridors, the 1987 batch IAS couple is the frontrunner for top bureaucratic post. The IAS couple is Manoj Saunik and Sujata Sunik. Buzz is that one of them is likely to step into Manu Kumar Srivastava’s shoes.
Manoj Saunik, an Additional Chief Secretary of two important departments, Public Works Department and Finance, is known for taking quick decisions. Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary in charge of Administrative Reforms in the General Administration Department, has garnered praise for putting systems in place and bringing transparency in operations.
According to the whispers in the power corridors of Maharashtra, Manoj Saunik is the favourite of both Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for his ability to think on his feet. On the other hand, If Sujata Saunik is appointed, she will be the first woman in the state to be elevated to the coveted position.
However, Nitin Kareer (IAS:1988:MH), Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue could surprise everyone in power corridors as his name is also coming up for the top post along with the above two.
