NEW DELHI: A growing controversy inside the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has intensified after a formal complaint to the President alleged that an individual named Danish Rizwan operated as an unofficial advisor with access to meetings, files and official facilities — without mandatory approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Interviews with officials, a review of documents cited in the complaint, and analysis of protocol requirements reveal a complex set of allegations that expose gaps in oversight and highlight the risks posed by informal appointments inside central ministries.
According to the complaint, Rizwan was introduced internally as an “Advisor to Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.” However, no ACC approval — a legal prerequisite for such positions — appears in official appointment records reviewed by this publication. The complaint cites a July 2025 Cabinet Secretariat letter and Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) guidelines requiring mandatory vetting, background checks, and ACC sign-off before any advisor can assume office.
“An appointment without ACC approval cannot be treated as valid under the system,” said a retired secretary familiar with staffing rules. “If someone is attending official meetings, the liability falls on the minister’s secretariat.” The MSME Ministry has yet to clarify whether any formal proposal for Rizwan’s appointment was submitted.
The complaint also alleges that Rizwan was allowed to attend internal consultations, including meetings where routine and sensitive files were discussed. Two mid-level officials confirmed seeing an individual identified as Rizwan inside the ministry conference room on multiple occasions, though they were unaware of his formal role. “It is highly unusual for anyone without paperwork to participate in official deliberations,” one official said. The complaint further claims this could constitute a breach of the Official Secrets Act, though no agency has publicly confirmed any investigation.
Among the most serious allegations are claims that Rizwan used government infrastructure reserved for authorized staff. The complaint states he occupied a chamber inside the MSME Ministry, used an official vehicle, was accompanied by a government security guard, and displayed the Ashoka emblem on visiting cards. A photograph cited in the complaint shows a national flag displayed inside the room allegedly used by him — a practice typically regulated under government protocol.
The complaint also refers to an identity card allegedly issued by the Home Ministry identifying him as “Advisor to the Union Minister” with red-tape classification. The Smart Governance could not independently verify the card’s authenticity, and the Home Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
The petition lists multiple past FIRs allegedly registered against Rizwan across various police stations, involving charges including attempt to murder, cheating, conspiracy, and sexual offenses. Law enforcement sources contacted by this publication declined to comment without a formal request, and no publicly available record confirming all of these cases has been located. These claims remain unverified and are presented solely as allegations.
Despite the seriousness of the accusations, the MSME Ministry has issued no public statement, and repeated calls and emails to Minister Manjhi’s office went unanswered. A senior official with more than a decade of experience in the ministry said the silence has created “confusion, distrust and worry” among staff. “When someone walks around with apparent access but nobody knows their designation, protocol breaks down,” the official said.
