Maharashtra’s IAS officer Daulat Desai has stunned everyone by resigning from the elite service. Desai announced his resignation on social media by writing a lengthy post explaining the reason for his disgust with the services that he worked so hard ti be a part of in 2008. A 2008 batch IAS officer, Desai said that it was ‘quite depressing to lie dumped in the backyard.’
Addressing his friends, Desai wrote, “Amidst mixed feelings, I inform you all that I have resigned and voluntarily stepped out of the so-called steel frame, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS), leaving behind all that Power, Security, Status and Prestige!
“Though striving for good health is the instant driver of this decision, it was quite depressing to lie dumped in the backyard, that too after accomplishing most challenging tenure as Collector and District Magistrate Kolhapur.”
Desai continued, “Be that as it may, the Civil Service, State or Indian, has given me a tremendous exposure, recognition and opportunities to serve the people. I was very fortunate to be one of the very few! It was very satisfying and exciting journey full of surprises and successes.”
Who Is IAS Officer Daulat Desai?
Desai hails from Pune in Maharashtra and received his early education in Sindhudurg. He went on to pursue his higher education from the Netherlands, Budapest in Hungary and Australia.
He cracked the civil services exams in 2008 before being appointed as the CEO, Zilla Parishad, of Pune in Maharashtra. He held several key posts including Director, Disaster Management, Mumbai at Government Of Maharashtra, India, Collector and District Magistrate of Kolhapur and Joint Secretary in the Maharashtra government.
Desai earned plaudits for his work in Kolhapur as the DM during the ravaging floods of 2019.
Recalling his work as the Kolhapur DM, Desai said, “I never compromised if public interest at large was at stake. I always listened the voices of weak and needy, ignoring vested interests of strong, established, and powerful ones in the societal hierarchy. My hands trembled, but decisions didn’t. For that, sometimes I happily faced criticism from those disgruntled who were hurt. I did whatever I could within the framework of rules and regulations for the betterment of society. I do not claim, I was perfect all the while. However, I feel very sorry and beg to forgive me if I hurt anyone while discharging my duties.”
Wife, Children, Salary
Desai is married to Tejaswini from whom he has two children namely Yugandhar and Eka. Thanking his family members, Desai said, “I must mention and express gratitude to my wife, Tejaswini, and kids, Yugandhar and Eka, my mother, brothers and a sister, whose unconditional support to the ‘odd man ’ in me, made easy treading the path of honesty, despite all that hardships they had to face. The guilt of their sufferings will haunt me forever, at the same time it will give me strength to work harder and harder to bring some solace to them, at least in the second inning.”
He was reportedly drawing a monthly salary of over Rs. one lakh. He was also provided with a government vehicle and accommodation.
What Next?
Desai says that there ‘are many things in the store.’ “A few for me and my family and few for public cause again, if possible. Let’s see how my creativity flows and how I am received and supported in the world out there. I am aware that it will be challenging but I am excited to take on the challenge again! It will be with the same zeal and enthusiasm.
Now it’s time to shed that ‘aura’ of IAS and be a ‘Common Man’, struggle and prove in the outside World, unknown and unprotected! I will be always available to the people @ daulat.desai@gmail.com for any help and advice any one needs,” Desai said.
The civil servant said that he was ‘happy and fulfilled’ and had no ‘regrets.’