RTI Reveals BMC Received Political Recommendations for 225 Staff Transfers
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai received recommendation letters from political leaders across party lines for the transfer or promotion of 225 officials and employees over the past year. The details were disclosed by the office of the BMC city engineer in response to a query filed by activist Anil Galgali under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
According to the information obtained, the recommendations came from Union ministers, state cabinet ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and corporators. The list of personnel includes officers and employees holding posts of assistant engineer, sub-engineer, executive engineer, and junior engineer.
An analysis of the records showed several political leaders appearing repeatedly. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's name was recorded 10 times, followed by Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale with nine recommendations. State ministers Girish Mahajan and Kalidas Kolambkar appeared seven times each.
Other representatives listed multiple times include Shiv Sena MLA Mangesh Kudalkar, Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode, and Shiv Sena MLA Tukaram Kate with six recommendations each. BJP MLA Murji Patel and Shiv Sena MLA Dilip Lande appeared five times each. Several other ministers, MPs, and legislators from the BJP, NCP, Shiv Sena, and Shiv Sena (UBT) also submitted recommendations.
Criticising the practice, Galgali stated that municipal transfers must follow administrative requirements, seniority, and transparent criteria. He demanded an immediate investigation and urged the administration to initiate disciplinary action under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, if unauthorised political interference or irregular processes were established.
Defending the practice, Ganesh Khankar, BJP leader of the House in the BMC, said most recommendations were submitted on humanitarian grounds. He stated that elected representatives receive requests from employees facing personal hardships, such as caring for ailing family members or managing childcare, and that local citizens and party workers also approach representatives with genuine grievances.
Shiv Sena BMC Group Leader Amey Ghole similarly noted that recommendations crossed all political parties. He said engineers and staff often face health concerns or long commutes and reach out to local MLAs, including representatives in their native areas, seeking postings closer to home.
