The state's seniormost IAS officer Sujata Saunik took over as Chief Secretary of Maharashtra on Sunday, June 30, after being overlooked twice. With this, she becomes the first woman Chief Secretary in Maharashtra creating a history.
Sujata Saunik, a 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, replaced Nitin Karir. He said Sujata Saunik's tenure will be for one year before she retires in June next year. Karir handed over the charge to Sujata Saunik at a function held at the State Secretariat in South Mumbai on Sunday evening.
Before being promoted to the post of Chief Secretary, Saunik was the Additional Chief Secretary in the state's Home Department. Her husband Manoj Saunik is a former Chief Secretary of the state. Sujata Saunik has over three decades of experience in healthcare, finance, education, disaster management and public policy and administration at the district, state and federal levels and in international organizations under the Indian Administrative Service and the United Nations.
The grand coalition government, which announced women-centric proposals in the annual budget last Friday, June 28, appointed 1987-batch IAS officer Sujata Saunik as the chief secretary. The state General Administration Department headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde issued formal orders so that he can take over from outgoing Chief Secretary Nitin Karir after 5 pm.
Apart from Sujata Saunik, Additional Chief Secretary to Revenue Rajesh Kumari (1987 batch) and Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Iqbal Chahal (1989 batch) were the two main contenders for the post of Chief Secretary. Top government sources said that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had agreed on the selection of Sujata Saunik as Chief Secretary.
Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the government wanted to give a strong signal to women voters. Additionally, her selection comes at a time when the government has recently started implementing the Fourth Women's Policy, which aims to empower and develop women.
Known as a tough and outspoken officer, Sujata Saunik currently holds the charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department of the state. Recently she was promoted to the post of Secretary by Department of Personnel and Training. Saunik has also served as Additional Chief Secretary in General Administration Department.