J K Banthia appointed Maharashtra Chief Secretary

MUMBAI: J. K. Banthia took charge as Chief Secretary of Maharashtra on Thursday. He was Additional Chief Secretary (Home) earlier. Banthia is the senior most officer among those whose names were being considered for Chief Secretary and has about a year to go before retirement.

Mr. Banthia’s took charge from Ratnakar Gaikwad who retired on 31st May as Chief Secretary. There was some speculation over Mr. Gaikwad getting an extension for at least three months but it was decided by the government that giving Mr. Gaikwad an extension would be unfair to other officers in queue for the topmost bureaucratic position in the state.

ET had earlier reported about a reshuffle in the state bureaucracy being planned by the government. Sitaram Kunte has been recently brought in as Commissioner at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation ( BMC) and Bhushan Gagrani has been appointed as the head of Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) while K Shivaji has been appointed as secretary in the finance ministry. Sources say more bureaucratic transfers are in the offing.