Maharashtra Suspends MPCB Officials for Missing Environment Minister's Briefing

Maharashtra's pro-tem Speaker Dilip Lande ordered the suspension of two Maharashtra Pollution Control Board officials, Member Secretary IAS officer M Devendra Singh and Joint Director Satish Padval, for failing to attend a briefing called by Environment Minister Pankaja Munde on pollution issues in Chandrapur. The suspension followed a breach of privilege motion moved by BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar. The MPCB is chaired by Shiv Sena leader Siddhesh Kadam, highlighting political tensions between the BJP-led Environment Department and the Shiv Sena-led board. The suspension was approved by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.