RTI Exposes Political Influence In BMC Engineer Transfers Across Mumbai

Political interference in the transfers, postings, and promotions of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) engineers has come to light following disclosures under the Right to Information (RTI) Act in Mumbai.

Documents obtained by RTI activist Santosh Daundkar reveal that recommendation letters were issued by ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The communications involved representatives from both the ruling coalition and the Opposition, as well as lawmakers representing constituencies outside Mumbai.

The records, spanning from 2024 to 2026, show that elected representatives sought preferred postings for junior engineers, sub-engineers, and assistant engineers. The requests targeted key municipal departments, including water engineering, civil works, environment, health, storm water drains, and infrastructure cells.

In addition to postings, the letters included requests for promotions to vacant posts and transfers for engineers who had occupied the same position for multiple years. Several letters cited personal or family reasons as justification for the requested movements.

The disclosures follow an earlier controversy involving the transfers of 122 assistant and secondary engineers conducted ahead of an online examination. That incident prompted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take notice, resulting in the transfer of the then BMC Additional Commissioner.

Following the latest RTI findings, Daundkar announced plans to submit a formal written complaint to the Chief Minister. He has demanded that Fadnavis issue an official notification barring elected representatives from making recommendations regarding civic staff transfers and postings.

BMC chief Ashwini Bhide did not respond to queries regarding the RTI disclosures.