Chennai: Vijay Pingale Maruti, the young dynamic IAS officer who was behind the successful Global Investors Meet here, is all set to leave Tamil Nadu cadre and is keen on joining the Centre as a Deputy secretary.
According to highly-placed sources, the no-nonsense officer who holds an MBBS degree, in fact missed an opportunity to serve in the Prime Minister’s Office two months ago as he decided to stay back in Chennai to finish the assignment given to him by the state government.
“He was mentally prepared to leave the state some six months back, but it was because of the space and guidance provided by the no- nonsense additional chief secretary C.V. Shankar, the young officer chose to be in the state only to complete the task given to him” said an industry department official.
“An emotionally elated Pingale had told department insiders last week to clear all pending files related to GIM and payments that had to be cleared to contractors, as he would soon leave the state to join the Union ministry”, the source said.
It may be noted that the officer faced controversies during his stint as Deputy commissioner (works) Chennai corporation, when he started challenging political heavyweights and also fining a section of contractors for executing shabby road work.
After news of his transfer to industries department came in, the civic body received several online petitions seeking reversal of his transfer. During his tenure as Tiruvannamalai collector, Pingale had a few times preferred bike rides to reach the remote hilly terrains of the district.
“Some IAS officers would get an opportunity to serve the Centre and some of them grab the offers immediately. No doubt, he is a good professional, but the state is not going to lose nothing much, as those on deputation could still help Tamil Nadu by liasoning with the Centre”, said a senior IAS officer. Efforts to contact Vijay Pingale proved futile.
