The Maharashtra PWD Minister Eknath Shinde has voiced his support for Thane Collector Dr Ashwini Joshi, the rumours of whose transfer are doing the rounds on social media, saying she is doing "noteworthy" work.
Shinde, who is also the Thane Guardian Minister, was speaking after inaugurating the Konkan Division Revenue Sport and Cultural Meet here.
"Since January 26, a message is circulating on social media saying the Thane Collector has been abruptly transferred and sent out of the district. The message stated that the reasons for the transfer are Joshi's strict action against illegal godowns, illicit dredging of sand among other activities, which are not going down well with a section of leaders in the district," he said.
The message comes in the wake of some BJP leaders including elected representatives making several representations to the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek the Collector's transfer. It had apparently baffled the district residents.
Breaking his silence on the issue, Shinde said he always stood by Joshi and her efforts against the illegal activities being carried out in the district.
Lauding the work done by the Collector since she took charge, the minister exhorted the citizens to come together and support it.
He further said the work done by Joshi to improve discipline was noteworthy and asked the citizens to boost her confidence.
In a related development, the Thane MLA Sanjay Kelkar, along with his Dombivali and Kalyan counterparts, yesterday met Fadnavis and submitted a memorandum asking him to not transfer the officer.
The memorandum, copies of which were today furnished to the media, stated that Joshi had been doing an excellent job and transferring her at this stage will send a wrong message in the society, Kelkar said.
The memorandum further guarded the Chief Minister not to fall prey to a section of leaders "with vested interests and indulging in illegal activities", he said.
The officials present in the inauguration function of the three-day event included Thane MP Rajan Vichare, Konkan Divisional Commissioner Tanaji Satre and the Collectors of all the districts of the Konkan division.
