Maharashtra Reinstates Suspended Environmental Officials

The Maharashtra government has revoked the suspension of MPCB officials, M Devender Singh and Satish Padval. They were previously suspended for failing to respond and attend meetings called by Environment Minister Pankaja Munde. The decision follows Singh's expression of regret and assurance of cooperation.

Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has instructed the Maharashtra government to lift the suspension of M Devender Singh, an IAS officer and member secretary of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), along with another MPCB official.

The officials, Singh and joint director Satish Padval, were suspended on February 27 following allegations of negligence in attending meetings and responding to queries, as raised by Environment Minister Pankaja Munde.

During a session on Monday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil informed the assembly of Singh's regret for his actions, proposing to revoke their suspension, a motion which was endorsed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

(With inputs from agencies.)