IAS Tukaram Mundhe Transferred for the 12th time

In this cruel world where sycophancy and dishonesty rules, being honest and devoted to work is termed as foolishness. IAS Tukaram Mundhe is the prime example of this condition. He is transferred again. This is his 12th transfer in 13 years. 

IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe who was posted as the Municipal Commissioner of Nashik has been transferred after corporators in the city passed a no-confidence motion against him.

Mundhe has had to face stiff opposition from leaders of several political parties and in some cases, even his peers. 

Mundhe, known for his uprightness and integrity, has been appointed Joint Secretary (Planning) at Mantralaya (secretariat), according to an order issued Thursday by Sitaram Kunte, Principal Secretary (General Administration Department) in Mumbai. 

While the normal tenure of a civic commissioner is three years, the 2005-batch IAS officer was shifted out in just months. Mundhe has been having frequent run-ins with local politicians. Due to which, in the four years of the BJP rule in the state, he has already been transferred four times. 

Protests against Mundhe’s Transfer

Mundhe’s abrupt transfer, announced Wednesday, triggered a protest in Nashik, where a large number of people gathered in front of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) headquarters Thursday demanding cancellation of his transfer order.

The protesters shouted slogans against Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, who is also the Guardian Minister of Nashik district, local BJP MLA Balasaheb Sanap and Mayor Ranjana Bhansi, holding them responsible for Mundhe’s transfer.  

The protesters hailed Mundhe as an able administrator. They said soon after taking charge as the NMC chief, the IAS officer had ensured discipline and accountability in functioning of the civic body. He also launched drives against encroachments in Nashik and punished erring civic employees.  Mundhe had started a public contact programme, `Walk With Commissioner’ – held every Saturday – where he would interact with the people of Nashik and address their grievances. This had made him popular among local residents.

Osmanabad Collector Radhakrishna Game has been named the new NMC commissioner.