India, Feb. 26 -- There are several reasons why chief minister Devendra Fadnavis took the unprecedented decision of turning down 16 recommendations of ministers for the post of their personal secretaries (PSs) and officers on special duty (OSDs). The people in question were rejected for a host of corrupt activities, from working as conduits for middlemen to taking a cut from contractors and builders to demanding a commission for promotions or recruitment either for themselves or on behalf of the ministers.

The 16 names have been rejected by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), based on scrutiny by various sources, the candidates' confidential reports, track records and complaints received about them. Over 28 names with dubious records are ...