Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has appointed as many as eight external staffers as Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), an RTI query has revealed.
RTI activist Anil Galgali had, under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, sought information from the state government about the appointments of external staffers as Officers on Special Duty in Maharashtra CMO and their salary details.
The reply, furnished by Under Secretary, state General Administration Department (GAD), revealed that eight OSDs have been externally appointed by Fadnavis, who are collectively drawing Rs 7,69,108 per month, including their salaries and perks.
Also Read
Seven of these staffers are being paid an additional lump sum amount of Rs 15,000 per month, the reply further said.
Galgali, stating that externally appointed staffers are inexperienced to handle the work, bemoaned that over Rs 7 lakh of salaries being paid to these OSDs is a huge drag on the state exchequer.
(REOPENS BES 28)
Meanwhile, in a statement issued here this evening,
the Chief Minister's Office said "The claim that this is the first time private persons are being appointed in the state, is based on incomplete information".
"At least 19 such persons were working in the previous government, including those in offices of the then CM, Dy CM and ministers.
"The appointments are as per rules. There are still two vacancies in the sanctioned posts in CM's establishment," the statement added.
