Three days after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was excluded from the newly restructured State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) while his deputy, Ajit Pawar, was included, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved an amendment to the Maharashtra Disaster Management Authority Rules, 2019, designating the chief minister and both deputy chief ministers as ex-officio members.

The exclusion of Shinde from the committee had sparked criticism, with accusations that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had been making decisions that sidelined Shiv Sena ministers. The decision to exclude Shinde from the committee was seen as a reflection of growing tensions within the ruling alliance.

In response to the controversy, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday has granted the CM the authority to nominate both ministers and non-government members to the Disaster Management Committee.

According to the revised rules shared by the government, Rule 3 of the Maharashtra Disaster Management Authority now outlines the structure of the SDMA. Under the new amendment, the committee will be chaired by the chief minister, with nine members, including the deputy chief ministers and ministers nominated by the CM. Additionally, the CM has the discretion to appoint experienced and knowledgeable individuals as non-government members to enhance disaster preparedness and response.

Previously, the committee included the chief minister, revenue minister, finance minister, home minister, relief and rehabilitation minister and the public health minister.

Since assuming the CM post, Fadnavis has made several decisions that have caused friction within the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde. Critics allege that these decisions are intended to diminish Shinde’s influence and undermine his faction’s power. One of the most notable moves was the reallocation of key ministerial positions, with the BJP-led government allocating important posts, such as the guardian minister roles for Raigad and Nashik districts, to NCP and BJP representatives rather than Shinde’s faction.

Further compounding tensions, the Industries Minister Uday Samant recently issued letters to department officials, instructing them not to make any policy decisions without prior consultation. Additionally, the CM appointed Sanjiv Sethi, a senior bureaucrat and the chief secretary of the transport department, to head the state transport authority. Fadnavis also issued a directive mandating that any appointment of personal secretaries and officers on special duty must be approved by the General Administration Department under his control.

As political tensions continue to rise, BJP leader Ganesh Naik has announced plans to hold a public meeting in Thane, a stronghold of Shinde, further intensifying the rift between the factions.

The amendment to the Maharashtra Disaster Management Authority Rules represents a shift in the balance of power within the state government, and the political landscape in Maharashtra remains increasingly volatile.

The disaster management authority, formed after the devastating Mumbai floods in 2005, plays a crucial role in coordinating emergency responses under the chief minister's leadership.

The urban development department plays a key role in disaster response efforts. Its officials and infrastructure are instrumental in coordinating the relief and rehabilitation work.