Why is the Maha Urban Dept denying BEST GM appointment orders?
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Synopsis
In a significant controversy, the Maharashtra Urban Development Department has denied issuing any official orders for the appointment of a new general manager for BEST, further fueling tensions within the government. Conflicting claims between departments have raised questions about coordination and governance in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra Urban Development Department denies issuing official appointment orders.
- Two IAS officers assigned to the same role, creating confusion.
- BEST has not had a full-time GM since early 2023, raising operational concerns.
- Political criticism highlights governance issues within the state.
- Calls for improved coordination among government departments.
Mumbai, Aug 6 (NationPress) Amidst a heated debate surrounding the appointment of two senior IAS officials as the BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) general manager, the state's Urban Development Department released a statement late Wednesday confirming that 'no official orders have been issued regarding the transfer of the additional responsibilities of the General Manager, BEST to Ashwini Joshi (IAS).
The statement highlighted that, following the initiative of the BEST Workers Union, plans for a march were underway to ensure that retiring employees of BEST enterprises receive their gratuity promptly within the stipulated timeframe.
It explained, 'In this context, it was essential to temporarily assign the General Manager role until formal orders are established by the General Administration Department.'
The statement further noted that, considering the order dated July 31, 2025 from the General Administration Department, efforts were ongoing to issue an official order via the Urban Development Department to assign the additional charge of the General Manager position to Joshi, in light of the upcoming workers' march.
However, it was pointed out that the General Administration Department had already transferred the additional responsibilities of the General Manager, BEST to Ashish Sharma (IAS) as per the order dated August 05, 2025, asserting that no official order for Joshi had been released.
Earlier, the opposition criticized the government for the appointment discrepancies involving two IAS officers as BEST GM, sharing two separate signed orders on social media.
One order was issued by the Deputy Chief Minister Shinde-led Urban Development Department, assigning additional responsibilities to Ashwini Joshi as the GM.
Joshi currently serves as the Additional Municipal Commissioner within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Shortly thereafter, the General Administration Department (GAD) led by Fadnavis issued an order assigning the additional charge to State GST commissioner Ashish Sharma.
The BEST undertaking has been operating without a full-time general manager since the start of this year, following the transfer of the previous GM, Anil Diggikar, in December after a bus accident in Kurla. This position has since been filled temporarily by various senior IAS officers.
Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray expressed his concerns on X, stating, 'The BEST is being systematically undermined by the state government. The coordination between the CM and Gaddaarnath Mindhe appears to be non-existent. How can such a critical post have conflicting orders?'
Thackeray added, 'If the basic coordination is failing, how can we trust these leaders to govern our state? This government is the most corrupt and incompetent Maharashtra has seen.'
Additionally, Harshwardhan Sapkal, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, criticized the government, questioning, 'Is this a double gang war within the double engine government?'
On X, Sapkal remarked, 'A turf war is unfolding between Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis over official appointments. How can the public trust their leadership when such disarray exists?'
NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar took a jab at the state government, commenting on the apparent 'best coordination' of the MahaYuti government.
He stated on X, 'As soon as the General Manager position at BEST became vacant, a race began between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to appoint their candidate. This conflict has become evident as both departments seek to fill the same role.'
The Leader of Opposition in the state council, Ambadas Danve, also slammed the MahaYuti government, labeling the situation a clear indication of the disarray among government entities.
He posted on X, 'This reflects the competition between the CM and Deputy CM’s departments over the BEST GM position. If the MahaYuti partners cannot collaborate, what can they achieve for the 11 crore citizens of Maharashtra?'
Point of View
This situation underscores a worrying trend of disorganization within the Maharashtra government. The conflicting orders regarding the same position reflect a deeper issue of communication and collaboration among key leaders. Such discrepancies can hinder efficient governance and lead to public distrust. It's essential for the government to resolve these conflicts swiftly to maintain credibility and serve the citizens effectively.
NationPress
08/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the controversy about?
The controversy revolves around conflicting orders regarding the appointment of the General Manager for BEST, with two IAS officers being assigned the role by different departments.
Who are the IAS officers involved?
The IAS officers involved are Ashwini Joshi, appointed by the Urban Development Department, and Ashish Sharma, assigned by the General Administration Department.
What is BEST?
BEST stands for BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport, responsible for providing public transport and electricity in Mumbai.
Why is the appointment significant?
The appointment is significant as BEST has been without a full-time general manager since early this year, impacting its operations and governance.
What reactions have been voiced by political leaders?
Political leaders have criticized the government's lack of coordination and highlighted the implications of conflicting appointments on effective governance.
