In a significant administrative reshuffle, former Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has been appointed as the additional chief secretary, taking charge of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The decision comes after directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI) prompted Chahal's transfer from his previous role.
Chahal, an experienced IAS officer from the 1989 batch, assumed the position of BMC commissioner on May 8, 2020, succeeding Praveen Pardeshi. Throughout his tenure, he garnered praise for his adept handling of civic governance, particularly during the challenging times of the pandemic.
The appointment, announced on Friday, also saw the former additional commissioner, P Velrasu, being appointed as the secretary of the social welfare department, marking a significant shift in bureaucratic responsibilities.
However, Chahal's appointment hasn't been devoid of controversy. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, known for his vocal criticism of Chahal, expressed his disapproval, alleging favoritism and corruption in the appointment process. Thackeray's concerns were voiced through a social media post, where he highlighted his prediction of Chahal's new role and criticized the decision, implying a nexus between the former BMC commissioner and favored contractors.
Chahal's transfer comes after prolonged deliberation. Initially slated for transfer the preceding year, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had advocated for his continuation as the civic chief. However, the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule prompted the Election Commission to order the transfer of Chahal and several other civic officials who had surpassed their tenure limits.
Despite efforts by the state government to seek exemptions from the transfers, citing the officials' involvement in monsoon preparedness, the Election Commission upheld its decision, leading to Chahal's eventual relocation from the BMC.
Having formally handed over his responsibilities as BMC commissioner to Bhushan Gagrani, Chahal now assumes his new role as additional chief secretary with the prospect of further elevations in the administrative hierarchy. With his extensive experience and empanelment as secretary to the Government of India, speculations arise regarding his potential ascension to the position of state chief secretary before his retirement in 2026, as suggested by a senior official familiar with the matter. As Chahal embarks on this new phase of his bureaucratic journey, the dynamics within Mumbai's administrative corridors are likely to witness intriguing developments, shaping the city's governance landscape for the foreseeable future.
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