2 min readMumbaiUpdated: Feb 27, 2026 09:55 PM IST
In an unprecedented move by Maharashtra government, an IAS official was suspended on Friday for not attending a meeting called by a BJP minister.
Protem Speaker of the State Assembly Dilip Lande on Thursday ordered the suspension of two senior officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board after they failed to attend a briefing convened by Environment Minister Pankaja Munde.
The officials named in the order are MPCB Member Secretary M Devendra Singh, an IAS officer, and Joint Director Satish Padval.
The order has drawn attention in political circles as the MPCB is chaired by Siddhesh Kadam of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while the Environment Department is headed by BJP leader Pankaja Munde.
The action followed a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on pollution in Chandrapur district, during which Munde informed the House that key MPCB officials had not attended meetings she had called on the issue. Taking serious note of the absence, Lande termed it gross negligence and disrespect towards the people of Maharashtra represented by elected members, and directed that action be initiated.
On Friday, a file recommending suspension was placed before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is yet to take a final decision.
Defending his decision, Lande said, “It does not matter whether I was merely a protem speaker. I was on the chair and action was taken for not respecting the orders of the minister and not performing their duty.”
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On Friday, BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar moved a breach of privilege motion against the MPCB for failing to adhere to the minister’s directions.
Siddhesh Kadam, who heads the MPCB, could not be reached for comment. He is the son of senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam and brother of Minister of State Yogesh Kadam.
