Maharashtra Government Transfers Official Amid Controversy Over Minority Status Certificates
The Maharashtra state government executed a significant administrative transfer on Tuesday, moving the deputy secretary of the minority development department. This action follows closely on the heels of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordering a comprehensive probe and immediately staying the minority status certificates that were issued to 75 educational institutes. The controversial approvals were granted within hours after the tragic demise of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on the morning of January 28.
Transfer Order and Administrative Reasons
According to the official transfer order issued late in the evening, Deputy Secretary Milind Shenoy was reassigned due to what were cited as 'administrative reasons.' Shenoy, who held the authority to issue minority status certificates to educational institutions, has not been allocated any new posting as of now. Officials with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed this development, noting that the certificates under scrutiny bore Shenoy's digital signature, raising questions about the approval process.
Deputy CM's Directive and Departmental Scrutiny
In a related move, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who also oversees the minority affairs portfolio, directed the department on Monday to compile a detailed and comprehensive report on the contentious issuance of these certificates. A senior official from the department disclosed that all relevant files, including those containing objections, are currently under rigorous scrutiny.
"A full account of the approval process will be submitted within a week. The department is committed to getting to the roots of this matter and investigating it in thorough detail," the official stated. The official further explained that applications for minority status are typically processed online, with only one physical hearing conducted at the deputy secretary's office, which is the designated authority for approving such requests.
Opposition Demands and Public Outcry
Opposition members have been vocal in their criticism, demanding a rigorous and transparent investigation into the issue. Supriya Sule of the NCP (SP) labeled the alleged approvals as "inhuman" and questioned the morality of issuing such certificates during a period of state mourning.
"Where has humanity disappeared? How could such certificates be issued when the entire state was in mourning?" Sule asked reporters in Delhi on Tuesday. She acknowledged reports of the CM's inquiry order but emphasized that it must be time-bound and result in punishment for those found guilty.
Allegations and Timeline of Certificates
The controversy came to light after Akshay Jain, general secretary of the Indian Youth Congress (Maharashtra), alleged that 75 institutes were granted minority status within hours of Ajit Pawar's death. The first certificate was reportedly issued at 3:09 PM on the same day, despite the state observing an official mourning period.
Members of the Indian Youth Congress further alleged that the certificates were issued between January 28 and February 2, despite a freeze on approvals since October following instructions from former minister Manikrao Kokate. They claimed that no certificates were issued until January 28, but approvals were rapidly cleared after Ajit Pawar's demise, with 75 institutes receiving status within just three days.
Background on Minority Status and Benefits
Pyare Khan, chairperson of the state minority commission, provided context, noting that over 8,500 educational institutes operate as minority institutions in Maharashtra, but only about 3,300 officially hold the status and receive corresponding government benefits. According to regulations, institutions with minority status are exempt from certain requirements, including:
- Reserving 25% of seats for students from economically weaker sections under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
- Adhering to specific teacher recruitment norms such as the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
- They also become eligible for various government grants and financial aids.
The probe ordered by CM Fadnavis aims to uncover the details behind these rapid approvals and ensure accountability in the administrative process. The transfer of Deputy Secretary Shenoy marks a pivotal step in this ongoing investigation, as the state government seeks to address the allegations and restore public trust.
