Major setback for those on deputation in Ministers’ offices

Crackdown on Unauthorised ‘Backdoor Entries’ in Mantralaya

External employees to be sent back to parent departments by September 10

Chief Secretary orders action against irregular and oral appointments

Mumbai, August 25

The Maharashtra Government has ordered the cancellation of appointments of external employees working in ministers’ offices and various departments of Mantralaya on deputation or merely on the basis of oral instructions without the required verification and approvals. Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal has directed that such employees be relieved and sent back to their respective parent departments by September 10, 2026. The move is expected to affect employees who have been working on deputation in ministers’ offices for several years.

Mantralaya is the centre of the state’s policy-making and administrative decision-making process, making it essential that the appointment, background verification and administrative approval of officials and employees working there follow strict procedures. However, the government has found instances where employees from various cadres were assigned to ministers’ offices without obtaining the necessary approval from their parent departments or competent authorities.

The decision has been taken against the backdrop of instances in which doctors, teachers, engineers, stenographers and employees from other cadres were brought into Mantralaya through irregular procedures. Questions have also been raised regarding their confidential service records, police verification and requisite training. The government has taken a strict view of such appointments, considering the sensitive nature of Mantralaya and the potential implications for administrative discipline and confidentiality.

Under the new directions, all concerned ministers’ offices and departments have been instructed to relieve such employees and send them back to their parent departments by September 10, 2026. If the concerned employees fail to report to their parent departments by September 15, action will be initiated to withhold their salaries.

The concerned departments have also been directed to submit a comprehensive report on the implementation of the orders to the Chief Secretary’s Office by September 20, 2026. In addition, the Mantralaya identity cards, digital passes and biometric attendance access of employees who are relieved from their assignments are to be deactivated immediately.

The Chief Secretary has also warned that disciplinary action will be initiated under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules against those who violate administrative procedures or repeat such irregular appointments in the future.

The government has made it clear that if ministers’ offices require additional manpower, employees will be deployed only after obtaining due approval from the competent authority and following a transparent and prescribed procedure.

The decision is likely to force employees who have remained on deputation in ministers’ offices for years to return to their parent departments. It also signals the government’s intent to curb unauthorised “backdoor entries” and strengthen administrative discipline at Mantralaya.