Mumbai: In an effort to prevent confidential discussions held during Maharashtra’s cabinet meetings from being leaked to the public, strict new protocols have been implemented under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s leadership.
Several times in the past, private conversations among ministers during cabinet meetings have become public, causing concern within the government. Since assuming office, Chief Minister Fadnavis has been closely monitoring ministerial and administrative affairs. He has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction over leaks of confidential meeting details and has taken steps to curb this issue.
According to Sources, On Tuesday morning, the cabinet meeting chaired by CM Fadnavis was held at the Sahyadri Guest House at 10:30 AM. To tighten confidentiality, the Chief Minister issued oral orders barring private secretaries and special officers (OSDs) of ministers from attending the meeting. Only the ministers and the secretaries of the respective departments were allowed inside, with others instructed to leave immediately.
However, an OSD of a Shiv Sena minister remained seated in the meeting room despite instructions to leave. Officials from the Chief Minister’s office noticed this and alerted security personnel. The security team approached the OSD and requested him to exit. When the minister allegedly asked the OSD to stay back, security officials reiterated the order. After being reminded of the directive, the minister instructed the OSD to leave. The OSD was then escorted out by security.
Sources report that all ministers and secretaries present watched the incident with surprise as the OSD was escorted out.
