Rajesh Kumar Likely to Be Next Chief Secretary

X: @vivekbhavsar

Mumbai: Maharashtra is likely to appoint Rajesh Kumar (Meena), Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department, as the next Chief Secretary from July 1, as incumbent Sujata Saunik is not expected to get an extension.

Though there had been speculation in Mantralaya corridors about Saunik receiving a three-month extension, senior bureaucratic sources have indicated that the Chief Minister is unlikely to override the seniority list. “Rajesh Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer, is a sincere and work-driven bureaucrat. Despite his retirement scheduled for August 2025, he is expected to be appointed as Chief Secretary to honour seniority norms,” a senior IAS officer said on condition of anonymity.

The officer also revealed that Saunik was earlier expected to resign in June last year, as part of a political understanding worked out among three top leaders of the state, in the presence of a powerful political influencer often referred to as “AA.” Known for his behind-the-scenes role in governance during the previous administration, AA had reportedly arranged a meeting near Mantralaya offering Saunik a position in the State Election Commission in return for stepping down early. However, she declined and chose to complete her tenure.

Despite the political backdrop, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is said to be satisfied with Saunik’s performance, especially the reforms she introduced in the General Administration, Home, and other departments.

However, the draft Act for constituting the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority designates the Divisional Commissioner as the Chairperson and the Commissioner as the Member Secretary. This effectively rules out any possibility of Sujata Saunik being appointed as the Commissioner of the Authority. It is learnt that she was eyeing the post prior to the draft’s approval by the state cabinet.

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Following Rajesh Kumar’s retirement in August, Dr. I.S. Chahal, a 1989-batch IAS officer, is likely to be appointed the next Chief Secretary. Although Rajesh Agrawal, also from the 1989 batch, is senior to Chahal, he is reportedly not inclined to return to Maharashtra from Delhi, where he has been serving in the central government since January 2015.

Rajesh Kumar’s likely appointment signals continuity in administrative leadership, while also maintaining the principle of seniority in the state bureaucracy.