Lok Sabha elections is my first priority: Pune Divisional commissioner

In a major bureaucratic reshuffle on Monday evening, the state government appointed Pulkundwar as the divisional commissioner of Pune in place of Sourabh Rao, who was the divisional commissioner since 2020.

Anil Kawade, commissioner, cooperation, has been appointed the sugar commissioner in place of Pulkundwar and Rao has been appointed as the commissioner, cooperation.

Rao had steered the Covid-19 crisis for Pune and was the face of the government during the pandemic. Over the past many years, Rao has been in Pune in various positions.

“Without doubt, the elections would be my first priority. I will be meeting the district collectors to take stock of the preparations,” Pulkundwar said. Originally from Nanded, Pulkundwar has served as the private secretary of former chief minister Ashok Chavan as well as the sugar commissioner. As sugar commissioner, Pulkundwar had made strict rules about timely payment of cane price and to farmers on time. Pune division includes the districts of Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur and Kolhapur. While elections are literally round the corner, the spectre of drought is also looming large over the region.

While Pulkundwar took charge on Tuesday, both Kawade and Rao are yet to take charge of their posts.

The present transfers came amid the impending general elections. Before elections, officers who have served more than three years in a position are normally transferred out of their current positions. It is expected that the model code of conduct will be issued towards the beginning of March and elections will be held in April and May.