The new Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta has his task cut out: prioritise the mitigation of drought and scarcity in the State.
Soon after taking charge on Monday, Mr. Mehta, who took over from UPS Madan, said his previous experience as administrative head of the drought-affected Ahmednagar district will help him chalk out an action plan for the State, while his stint as commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) would make him nimble in the decision-making process.
Mr. Mehta, a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer, spent his first day reviewing drought conditions in six districts, while speaking to district heads along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Mr. Mehta was appointed Chief Secretary last week after Mr. Madan went on voluntary retirement barely a month after taking over from D.K. Jain, who was appointed judicial member, Lokpal, in March.
The new Chief Secretary, who has been a strong proponent of de-subsidising public transport (he had taken a strong position on the BEST crisis earlier this year), said he would also make transport and health his two other priorities. “How much can and should the government subsidise public transport? This is what we must consider for a better future, even as BEST remains a strong organisation and the need of the hour,” he said.