MUMBAI: At the helm of the first-ever BJP government in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has put together a team of six—three IAS officers and three Cabinet colleagues—to help him manage affairs of the state.
The first-time CM is slowly but steadily learning the basics of the administrative set up. A staunch advocate of a separate state of Vidarbha, he has already made it clear that of all Maharashtra’s development will be his priority. Fadnavis has appointed IAS officer Pravin Darade, who was posted in Fadnavis’ hometown Nagpur, as his secretary.
Following Darade’s appointment, Fadnavis brought in IAS officers Praveen Pardeshi and Milind Mhaiskar as his principal secretaries. This is a rare instance where all three prominent officials in the CM’s office are domiciles of the state.
The Blue-Eyed Boy
Praveen Pardeshi, Principal Secretary
The 1985-batch IAS officer is a favourite among ministers and shot into the limelight with his efficient rehabilitation of Latur earthquake victims. A postgraduate in Economics, he has worked with the World Bank and UN Development Programme as well. Experience in Urban Development, Forest and Environment and Revenue departments makes him the senior-most bureaucrat in CM’s office. His main challenge will be to speed up infrastructure projects in Mumbai.
Mr Clean Image
Milind Mhaiskar, Principal Secretary
The 1992-batch IAS officer is known for his workaholic nature. His stint in Sangli as the Municipal Commissioner established his reputation as an honest and efficient man. His work as Relief and Rehabilitation secretary during the 2012 drought was widely appreciated. He has handled Urban Development, Rural Development, Revenue and Health departments. He is expected to play a key role in execution of various state schemes.
The CM’s Man Friday
Pravin Darade, Secretary
The 1998-batch IAS officer was credited for planning Metro in Nagpur during his stint as Chairman of Nagpur Improvement Board. Former CM Prithviraj Chavan had immediately transferred him from Nagpur after PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the project. The civil engineer has also worked in drought-prone Jalna and in Kolhapur. He will play a key role in coordination and help Fadnavis execute a complete makeover of his office.
The Troubleshooter
Eknath Khadse, Revenue Minister
The most experienced minister in the government is expected to give tips to Fadnavis on running the state. Khadse was in the race for the CM’s post. Though he never hid his ambition, he has agreed to take a back seat for now. Being in charge of the all-important Revenue and Excise departments, Khadse will play a key role in increasing revenue of the state, which has a debt of `3,00,000 crore. Khadse will also be a key strategist of the government and its troubleshooter.
His Eyes and Ears
Vinod Tawde, Education Minister
Fadnavis has clubbed all education-related departments for Tawde, who was a fiery student leader in the 90s. Tawde is in charge of School, High and Technical and Medical Education departments apart from Sports and Cultural Affairs. His biggest challenge will be to streamline the admission process, introduce employability-oriented curriculum and pacify sulking teachers. On the political front, he will be Fadnavis’ eyes and ears.
Shah’s Missionary
Chandrakant Patil, Cooperation and Marketing Minister
A former national president of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Patil is said to be close to BJP president Amit Shah. This has earned him the responsibility of eliminating Congress and NCP’s influence over the state’s cooperative sector, especially in western Maharashtra from where he comes. Patil will be a key aid in creating a good reputation of the government among farmers and woo the powerful Maratha caste as well.