Pune violence may delay CS replacement

Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is caught in a dilemma over appointing a new chief secretary (CS) in the backdrop of the Bhima-Koregaon violence last week, said sources. The current chief secretary, Mr Sumit Mullick, who belongs to the dalit community, is set to retire on April 30. Mr Mullick has been eyeing the post of the chief information commissioner (CIC) after his tenure, but Mr Fadnavis wants to appoint him as a CIC immediately because of a high court order, said sources. But now, the CM is wondering whether he should retain Mr Mullick as CS till he retires.

Mr Fadnavis want to appoint D.K. Jain immediately and has offered Mr Mullick the CIC post, which has to be filled immediately due to the high court deadline.  

However, a dalit organisation has written to Mr Fadnavis demanding that Mr Mullick should not be removed before completing tenure. He should be appointed as CIC after that. The CM fears that if Mr Mullick is removed immediately, it may spark off a new controversy about a dalit officer being removed before tenure, sources said.