Maharashtra moves recognition powers over private schools from Education Minister Bhuse to Principal Secretary

Talk of a division of powers between the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) in Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti government has resumed. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken key administrative powers from the department of another minister of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's party and handed them to senior administrative officials, including officers such as the secretary and the education commissioner. The matter concerns the school education department, and it has raised fresh questions about the limits of ministers' powers and the government's decision-making process.

The decision affects School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse. The government has made a major administrative change in the recognition process for private self-financed schools. The School Education Minister will no longer have the power to issue letters of intent and recognition letters for upgrading the status of existing schools. This power has been given to the Principal Secretary (School Education). The government issued a government circular on this on September 3.

As a result, key decisions on the recognition and upgrading of private schools will now be taken directly at the administrative level. The aim of the change is said to be faster decisions in the education department and uniformity in working.

The powers cut from Bhuse include decisions linked to the recognition process for private schools. They also cover sanctioning additional sections for schools and permitting new branches. Issuing no-objection certificates for CBSE and ICSE board curricula is also on the same list.

This has happened before with ministers from the Shinde faction. There was talk of the Chief Minister's growing control over decision-making in the transport department. It was also said that there had been interference in Minister Pratap Sarnaik's decision to make Marathi mandatory. Changes were also made at the administrative level involving some personal assistants and OSDs in the offices of ministers Sanjay Rathod, Gulabrao Patil, Uday Samant and Shambhuraj Desai.

The extent of the Chief Minister's powers is also clear from the "Maharashtra Government Rules of Business 2026", notified by the government on August 14. Under these rules, the Chief Minister can overturn the decision of any minister if public interest requires it, and the reasons must be recorded in writing. The rules also allow the Chief Minister to call for papers on key decisions of any department.

The government says the changes are meant for administrative efficiency and uniformity in decisions. Even so, in view of the Mahayuti's power equations, they are being viewed differently. Continuing administrative reshuffles in the departments of Shinde faction ministers have brought up issues such as the division of powers and coordination between the two sides. Political circles are watching how the Chief Minister's decisions alter the balance of power within the government.