In a shocking disclosure, senior Maharashtra cadre IAS officer Manisha Mhaiskar (IAS:1992:MH) has revealed that a minister refused to work with her as the head of his department simply because she was a woman.
This revelation has caused a stir in the state, as the episode has brought into focus the persistent gender bias in political and administrative circles.
Known for her administrative competence and professionalism, Mhaiskar is currently posted as Additional Chief Secretary of the state Home Department.
Describing this incident as a shocking exception in her 34-year-long career, Mhaiskar recounted her experience in an interview published in a souvenir for a conference of women civil servants to be held in Delhi. According to her, the incident took place in 2023 when postings were being finalised, soon after the Devendra Fadnavis government assumed power in the state.
But she treats this incident as an aberration, saying her remarks had been “taken out of context.”
“I was asked about whether I have ever been discriminated against. And my reply was an emphatic no, except for one exception,” she is quoted to have remarked.
Mhaiskar admitted that gender differences in administration have nearly disappeared, but without forgetting to add that such a view at that level was striking.
While the state government is yet to respond to the disclosure, the news has drawn attention as it relates to the current ruling Mahayuti coalition.
Though Mhaiskar did not disclose the name of the minister, her remark has led to speculation in political circles despite the fact that, as she said, this was the only such instance in her career spanning over three decades.
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