MLA Mihir Kotecha Demands Inquiry Into BMC Cash for Transfer Allegations
BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha has sought a detailed inquiry by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal into alleged financial irregularities and a suspected "cash for transfer" racket involving civic engineers in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai.
Kotecha questioned the conduct of Additional Municipal Commissioner (AMC) Avinash Dhakane, claiming the officer failed to respond in a timely manner to queries regarding recent transfers. The MLA stated that he holds information pointing to large-scale irregularities in engineer transfers conducted two to three months ago, including details of an alleged "rate card."
According to Kotecha, he raised questions and sought relevant documents from AMC Dhakane on August 5, 2026, to verify the allegations. He stated that the requested details are necessary to establish whether financial transactions took place during the transfer process.
Kotecha also noted that on May 15, 2026, he wrote to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide after learning of a fresh transfer proposal involving nearly half of the engineers from an earlier disputed list. Following his intervention, Bhide cancelled that proposed transfer list.
AMC Dhakane has denied all allegations, asserting that this year's transfers were handled transparently and in compliance with all relevant rules, including considerations for reservations, pregnant staff, and gender balance across departments.
Dhakane stated that after Kotecha requested details, he directed the City Engineer's office, where transfer records are maintained, to supply the list. According to Dhakane, the City Engineer provided the requested list to the MLA on August 18, 2026.
The demand for a probe comes alongside allegations from RTI activist Anil Galgali regarding political recommendations in the transfer process of 225 BMC officers and employees. Galgali stated that he obtained the transfer recommendation list from the Office of the City Engineer.
The issue follows a 2025 controversy in which an order transferring 165 BMC engineers was cancelled by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after MLA Ameet Satam submitted a written complaint alleging a "cash for transfer" practice.
