BMC commissioner Jairaj Phathak transfered

Mumbai: Phatak is on his way out. The civic chief received his transfer order from the central cabinet's appointment committee on Wednesday. Phatak has been transferred to Delhi and will be working as additional secretary in the department of Panchayati
Raj in the central government. He may take up his new profile by the first week of November.

Confirming the news, Phatak said: "Though I have decided to accept the offer to work in the central government, it will depend on the state government." Phatak said that he is willing to work in the Panchayati Raj department since it has a more rural connect. "I feel it is a great opportunity to learn more about rural India. After all, the real country resides there," he said.
However, it seems that state officials are still unaware of the development. Chief secretary Johny Joseph said that they had not received any communication from the centre regarding the transfer so far.

Though Phatak is keen to change his portfolio, sources in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that his transfer will depend on who forms the government in the state. "If there is a change of guard in the state, there is a possibility that Phatak may stay on," said a senior official on condition of anonymity.

According to Mantralaya sources, Swadhin Kshatriya, principle secretary, chief minister's office, TC Benjamin, principle secretary, state urban development department, or Ratnakar Gaikwad, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development
Authority chief, are likely to succeed Phatak. Phatak, a 1978 IAS officer from Maharashtra cadre, has been in charge of the BMC since May 2007.
(With inputs from Surendra Gangan)

DNA