In a significant administrative development, the Maharashtra state home department now carries a pronounced Nagpur imprint with the appointment of senior IAS officer Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar as the additional chief secretary (ACS). The officer assumed her new responsibilities on Friday, marking a notable shift in the department's bureaucratic leadership.
Nagpur's Growing Influence in State Administration
With Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis concurrently holding the home portfolio, the department's political and bureaucratic leadership now exhibits a distinct Nagpur connection. This regional influence is further reinforced by Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar, who hails from the neighboring Wardha district. The convergence of these appointments underscores Nagpur's expanding footprint in Maharashtra's governance structure.
Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar's Distinguished Career
A 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, Mhaiskar has accumulated extensive experience through numerous key assignments during her career. Her recent tenure as head of the public works department (PWD) proved particularly noteworthy, with the department securing the top rank in the Maharashtra government's e-governance evaluation tied to the 150-day performance milestone.
Colleagues and observers describe Mhaiskar as an upright and proactive officer with a reputation for delivering results. Her clean administrative record and proven performance are expected to bring enhanced transparency and operational efficiency to the home department, which remains under constant public and administrative scrutiny.
Challenges of the Home Department Portfolio
The home department represents one of the most complex arms of the state government, handling multiple public-facing responsibilities alongside extensive backend operations. This dual nature necessitates senior-level administrative oversight of the highest caliber. Department sources indicate that Mhaiskar's impeccable reputation and delivery record significantly influenced her selection for this high-profile posting.
The ACS (home) position became vacant following the superannuation of incumbent Iqbal Singh Chahal (IAS), creating an opportunity for administrative restructuring within this critical department.
Personal Connection to Nagpur
Despite her wide-ranging national and international exposure through various assignments, Mhaiskar maintains a strong personal connection to Nagpur. The officer has frequently described the city as her "go-to" place and identifies proudly as a Nagpurian. This local affiliation adds a personal dimension to her professional appointment within the state's administrative framework.
The appointment comes at a time when Nagpur features prominently in multiple state developments, including ongoing discussions about the mayoral race, progress on Metro Phase-2 infrastructure projects, and coordination with the Indian Air Force regarding firefighting efforts in Arunachal Pradesh. Mhaiskar's leadership in the home department is expected to contribute to addressing these and other governance challenges facing the region and state.
