Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 28: In a swift move that caught political circles by surprise, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) suspended two top officials after they failed to attend a meeting called by Environment Minister Pankaja Munde.

Pro-tem Speaker Dilip Lande on Thursday evening ordered the suspension of MPCB member secretary M Devender Singh, an IAS officer, and joint director Satish Padval, citing “gross negligence” and “disrespect towards the people of Maharashtra.” The action came after Munde highlighted the officials’ absence during a discussion on pollution in Chandrapur.

Within a day, a suspension file was forwarded to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and action was taken. Lande defended his decision, saying, “It doesn’t matter that I was merely a pro-tem Speaker. I was in the chair, and action was taken for not respecting the orders of a minister and not doing one’s duty.”

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar moved a breach of privilege motion against the MPCB for failing to follow the minister’s directives. MPCB is headed by Shiv Sena leader Siddhesh Kadam, son of senior leader Ramdas Kadam, adding political intrigue to the incident.