A celebrated and popular Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Maharashtra, Tukaram H. Mundhe has been transferred once again. This is reportedly his 12th transfer in his 13-year-long bureaucratic career and the fourth one since May 2016.
Maharashtra IAS officer transferred
NDTV reported that he was the Commissioner of Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) and has now been posted as Additional Secretary, Planning, at Mantralaya, which is the state government headquarters. Reportedly, this decision to transfer him once again came after severe opposition from the politicians.
However, protestors, under the banner of ‘Amhi Nashikkar’, who gathered in front of the NMC office said that Mundhe was an able administrator, and right after joining as the commissioner, he had ensured discipline and accountability.
Mundhe, a 2005 batch IAS officer has reportedly faced stiff opposition even from his peers during the course of his career. He is recognised for his honest work and uprightness. With his no-nonsense approach towards the administration, Mundhe earned the respect of the masses. Talking about his recent transfer in an informal media meet, Mundhe said, “Every now and then, a kid has to be admitted to a new school.”
Recently, corporators of Nashik passed a no-confidence motion against Mundhe. However, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stayed the motion and allowed him to continue. A few weeks ago, at a Mayor’s conference, the demand to transfer Mundhe gained momentum, which was silenced by Nashik guardian minister Girish Mahajan, reported Mumbai Mirror.
When he served as Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, corporators led by Shiv Sena also demanded his removal, which was also stayed by the Chief Minister.
Humble beginnings
Mundhe, 43 had humble beginnings. Mundhe was born in Tadsonna, a small village in Beed district of Maharashtra, where agriculture is the main occupation of the people. He too was the son of a farmer couple and attended the Zila Parishad school. His brother inspired him to become an IAS officer, reported Yourstory.
After three failed attempts to clear the civil service exams since 1997, Mundhe cleared the State Civil Services Exam (MPSC) in 2001 with ease and got a class-II post in finance. In his final UPSC attempt, Mundhe cleared both the Prelims and Mains and was selected for the mains. In 2005, after eight years of constant efforts, Mundhe successfully cleared the interviews and secured all-India rank 20.
He was put in the Maharashtra cadre as supernumerary (assistant collector) at Sholapur. Right from the third or fourth day at his work, Mundhe proved his worth by conducting a raid on an illegal bar which had powerful political connections. Mundhe has since then, always acted in public interest and stood up for what is right, be it as an assistant collector or a commissioner.
The trend of transferring diligent IAS officers is not something new. In fact, earlier as well, IAS officers have been transferred or even demoted after their tussle with the political wing. In India, while at one hand, we complain of unavailability of responsible IAS officers, instances like these, just shows the extent to which the bureaucracy is dependant on the legislative or the political branch. To ensure an effective and corruption-free democracy, honest and efficient officers like Tukaram Mundhe should be given recognition instead of transfers.
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