Siddhesh Kadam, the offspring of the esteemed former state minister and Shiv Sena luminary Ramdas Kadam, has recently assumed the esteemed position of the new chairman of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, as per an official communique.
According to a declaration from the Environment and Climate Change Department under the stewardship of Eknath Shinde, Siddhesh Kadam has been designated to succeed A L Jarhad in this pivotal role. The decision to replace the incumbent chairman, A L Jarhad, stemmed from his prolonged absence from duty without valid justification, as revealed in the appointment order issued on Wednesday.
A L Jarhad had been appointed to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in September 2021. Siddhesh Kadam's ascension to the chairmanship comes amid familial ties to political leadership, with his brother Yogesh Kadam serving as an MLA from Dapoli under the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The appointment of Siddhesh to this administrative position is widely perceived as a political maneuver aimed at assuaging Ramdas Kadam, reflecting strategic adjustments within the political landscape.
Adherence to stringent eligibility criteria, which necessitate "twenty-five years of experience in respect of matters relating to environmental protection or in administering institutions dealing with matters relating to environmental protection in a senior managerial post," underscores the significance of Siddhesh Kadam's appointment.
In response to inquiries, Siddhesh Kadam affirmed that all requisite conditions and protocols were meticulously observed before his nomination. He asserted that the government diligently reviewed his credentials and that his appointment adheres to established regulations. Moreover, Siddhesh underscored his educational background, citing his qualifications as a science graduate with a master's degree, coupled with his extensive experience in addressing environmental concerns both domestically and internationally.
Notably, Siddhesh's father, Ramdas Kadam, a stalwart Shiv Sena figure and former environment minister, aligned himself with Eknath Shinde during the latter's rift with Uddhav Thackeray's leadership, culminating in the overthrow of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in June 2022.
