VM Khokale, Chief Engineer of Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (Mahagenco) at Koyana Hydro Power Plant (Pophali), has been suspended for posting an obscene photograph on an official WhatsApp group.
Bipin Shrimali, President and CEO of Mahagenco, had passed the suspension order of Khokale on Saturday, a copy of which is in DNA's possession.
"Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule along with his department officials is also a member of our WhatsApp group where the suspended official had posted the obscene photograph on July 14," stated the order.
Senior government officials from the energy department said that the group was formed to communicate and address the day-today issues related to power generation and distribution. "As per the suspension order, the conduct of Khokale is not appropriate and against the rule book; so he was immediately suspended as per 2015 Service Act. He will remain suspended till further order.
During the suspension period, Khokale has to be present at the Mumbai office on every Monday at 11 am. Without the permission of the senior officer concerned, Khokale is not permitted to leave the office," mentioned in order. It further reads that during the suspension period, Khokale will draw 50% of his monthly salary plus dearness allowance.
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that this incident has shown the true nature of the BJP government. "A few days ago, Deputy Inspector General (Prison) Swati Sathe had questioned the authority why prison officers have been suspended in connection with the Manjula Shetye death case. Interestingly, Sathe was herself investigating the death of Shetye. Her social media post exposed her stand, and after an uproar in public, she was sidelined from the investigations. The BJP government is not serious about administration. Therefore, nowadays officials are busy posting anything that has nothing to do with serious administration," Malik said.
