Shortage of officers: Many senior bureaucrats hold additional charges in state

Nitin Kareer, additional chief secretary (finance), is holding the additional charge of revenue department. Bhushan Gagrani, Additional CS to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also been holding charge of Urban Development Department-1.

Vikas Kharge, principal secretary to CM, holds additional charge of cultural department while Nandkumar, who is administrative head of the OBC department, is additionally handling water conservation department.

Parrag Jain Nainutia, who was transferred to transport and ports a few months ago, has also been given the additional responsibility of Information and Technology department while Sumant Bhange, administrative head of the social justice department, is given additional responsibility in the GAD.

Milind Mhaiskar, who was recently transferred to the public health department is also handling the charge of state excise department.

Saunik told The Indian Express that some officers are holding additional charges. “This is not a policy of the government, neither there is any centralisation of power with few. Nothing is permanent. The responsibilities were given as per the circumstances and when they change, people will be divested of the responsibilities,” he said.

The chief secretary also added that shortage of officers is one of the major problems. “At a higher level, there is a shortage as some have retired early. It is true about the shortage of senior level officials, so you see sometimes this kind of sharing of additional responsibilities,” he added.

According to sources, the transfer of officials and redistribution of administrative responsibilities is on the cards in June with the retirement of few senior officials.