Maharashtra CS Cancels Irregular Ministerial Postings, Sets Sept 10 Return Deadline
Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal has ordered the immediate cancellation of all irregular appointments made in Ministerial Offices and State Departments across the Mantralaya, directing that all affected staff be repatriated to their parent offices by September 10.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the state government cracked down on personnel brought in on deputation, on a loan basis, or through oral instructions without following the prescribed official procedures.
The circular noted that numerous technical personnel, including doctors, stenographers, teachers, and engineers, had been brought into administrative roles. Many lacked the necessary training or experience in ministerial work, which adversely affected the functioning of the Mantralaya and established administrative processes. Furthermore, these appointments were made without securing required approvals from the parent ministerial departments, the Additional Chief Secretary (General Administration/Services), the Chief Secretary, and the Chief Minister.
The government highlighted that such unofficial transfers severely affected the functioning of parent departments, making it difficult for both borrowing and parent offices to manage vacant posts. The practice also rendered specialized training received by personnel in their original departments ineffective.
Additionally, appointments made via oral instructions or improper deputation bypassed essential background checks, including the verification of integrity certificates, character certificates, confidential reports, and departmental inquiries. Given that work in ministerial offices is administrative and highly sensitive, the circular emphasized that these checks are indispensable. It also described the contractual extension of retired personnel from cadres declared obsolete or dying cadres as inappropriate.
Heads of offices and drawing and disbursing officers have been instructed to submit compliance reports by September 15 confirming that the relieved staff have reported to their parent offices. If any employee fails to return, the concerned office must stop their salary immediately. The Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, or Secretary of each department must submit a final compliance report to the Chief Secretary's office by September 20.
The state has also ordered the immediate discontinuation of identity cards, face-recognition access, and attendance facilities linked to the cancelled postings. The circular warned that any future recurrence of unauthorized appointments could lead to disciplinary action under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979.
For upcoming staffing needs, departments must strictly route all appointment proposals through the General Administration Department and secure the Chief Minister's approval, while also conducting a review of sanctioned staffing structures.
