Congress Leader Demands Probe After 19 BMC Engineers Decline Promotions in Mumbai
In Mumbai, Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi on Friday demanded a detailed fact-finding inquiry after 19 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) engineers declined their promotions, raising concerns that the officers chose to remain in their current influential postings.
Azmi addressed the demand in a letter to BMC Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Friday. The issue was also raised during a standing committee meeting on Thursday.
The 19 officers who turned down the promotions include 17 assistant engineers who were promoted to executive engineers, and two executive engineers who were elevated to deputy chief engineers. These promotions had become eligible after prolonged delays caused by technical issues and subsequent court proceedings.
Azmi called the development highly unusual, noting that promotions are typically welcomed as a milestone and recognition of service. He expressed concern that the refusals suggest some officers prefer to continue in their existing assignments rather than assume higher responsibilities.
According to Azmi, several engineering postings within the BMC involve extensive interaction with developers, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders. He pointed out that the officers are currently working in departments such as building proposals, development plan, and slum rehabilitation.
"They are from lucrative departments like the building proposals, development plan and slum rehabilitation. These departments fetch good money. Otherwise why would anyone refuse promotions," Azmi said.
Azmi urged the civic administration to examine whether there is any conflict of interest, undue influence, or vested interest behind the decisions. He requested that the BMC identify and review the current postings of these officers to see if there is a common factor influencing their refusal.
In addition to the inquiry, Azmi called for the BMC to frame a comprehensive policy governing cases where employees voluntarily refuse promotions. This policy would ensure that officers who decline promotions do not continue indefinitely in sensitive or influential postings without administrative review.
Azmi's demands include an Action Taken Report within 15 days, consideration of administrative transfers where necessary, and an investigation into whether the refusals are linked to retaining sensitive assignments.
