Maha govt announces 21 appointments to state-run corporations

The Maharashtra government today announced appointments to 21 vacant posts in various state-run corporations, boards and authorities.

Almost half of these posts have gone to leaders of the Shiv Sena, the ruling BJP's bickering ally.

Sena MLA from Ratnagiri Uday Samant has been appointed as chairman of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada), an official statement said.

Former Dahisar MLA and Sena leader Vinod Ghosalkar has been appointed as chairman of the Mumbai board of Mhada.

Haji Arafat Shaikh, who joined the Shiv Sena after quitting the MNS, has been appointed as chairman of the Maharashtra State Minority Commission.

A BJP source said these appointments were made late, but could still be a shot in the arm for political workers ahead of coming elections.

Another BJP ally, RPI (Athawale faction), has also received representation as its leader Sudhakar Sarvade has been appointed as chairman of Mahatma Phule Backward Class Development Corporation.

Sandip Joshi, BJP group leader in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, has been appointed as president of the Small Scale Industries Corporation, while Ashish Jaiswal, former Shiv Sena MLA from Ramtek, has been appointed president of the state Mining Corporation.