Dr Brijesh Dixit relieved as MD of Maha Metro
| Date :16-May-2023 |
Staff Reporter
Flamboyant Managing Director of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) Brijesh Dixit has been relieved of his charge. The decision comes after Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) rejected decision of Maharashtra Government to grant another five-years extension to Dixit. As such, Dixit handed over the charge to senior most Director of MMRCL Nitin Karir, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, on Monday, at Mumbai.
Earlier, in a flurry of development, Dixit’s bid to oversee second phase of Nagpur Metro and that of completing the ongoing expansion of Pune Metro failed to materialise. In a communication to Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, Maharashtra Government, the MoHUA informed about rejection of former’s endorsement of extension to Dixit. The letter bearing signature of Vikash Kumar, Under Secretary, Government of India, informed the UDD that as per stated policy, no officer working with any of the Metro corporation in country has been granted extension beyond the age of 65 years.
Dixit, as per the MoHUA communication, has already put in eight-years of services as MD and he belongs to 1980 batch of Indian Railway Service of Engineers (IRSE). He joined MMRCL on deputation basis and was later appointed as MD from April 16, 2018, and Dixit is going to attain age of 65-years within next few months. Hence, it was decided not to give any further extension to Dixit as MD of Maha Metro. The MoHUA communication is dated April 24, 2023.
Similarly, Maharashtra Government, which is equal partner with Central Government in MMRCL, was told to initiate process for fresh appointment of MD, Maha Metro. Till the new MD is appointed, the senior most Director of the Company should be assigned with additional charge of the top post. The MoHUA communication also underlined that though it is prerogative of Maharashtra Government to appoint a person with wide administrative experience as Managing Director, MMRCL, prior consent of Central Government however is mandatory.
It may be mentioned that Vikas Thakre, MLA, had opposed granting extension to Brijesh Dixit as MD of MMRCL, citing adverse comments of Comptroller General of India for delay in completion of Nagpur Metro project and overshooting the budget. Tension was brewing within the Maha Metro over dominating style of functioning of Dixit. So the sulking officers got into act and took up the matter all the way to Central Government and managed to pull the rug underneath the feet of Dixit by ensuring that his extension does not materialise, it is reliably learnt. The powerful political leaders chose to stay neutral in the tussle within MMRCL.