Archive · 20 Aug 2026
RTI Reveals Political Recommendations in Mumbai BMC Engineer Transfers
Documents obtained through an RTI request show that politicians wrote letters about the jobs of BMC engineers.
The letters asked for certain transfers, postings and promotions.
The engineers worked in departments such as water, roads, health and infrastructure.
Some requests mentioned personal or family reasons.
The letters came from ministers, MPs and MLAs.
They included people from both the ruling party and the Opposition.
Activist Santosh Daundkar says politicians should not make these recommendations.
He plans to complain to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and ask for a ban.
RTI records show ministers, MPs and MLAs recommended transfers, postings and promotions for BMC engineers during 2024–26.
Recommendations involved engineers in water, civil, environment, health, storm-water and infrastructure departments.
Some letters sought promotions, transfers after long tenures, or postings for personal and family reasons.
The recommendations included representatives from both the ruling party and the Opposition, including lawmakers from outside Mumbai.
Activist Santosh Daundkar urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prohibit public representatives from recommending engineer transfers and postings.
- Who
- Ministers, MPs and MLAs made recommendations concerning Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation engineers; RTI activist Santosh Daundkar raised the issue.
- What
- RTI records revealed political recommendations involving engineer transfers, postings and promotions.
- When
- The records covered recommendations made during 2024–26; an earlier controversy involved transfers before an online examination.
- Where
- Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
- Why
- Daundkar wants recommendations by public representatives prohibited, citing concerns about political interference in personnel decisions.
- Records obtained by
- RTI activist Santosh Daundkar
- Period covered
- 2024–26
- Personnel affected
- Junior engineers, sub-engineers and assistant engineers
- Decisions involved
- Transfers, postings and promotions
- Departments mentioned
- Water engineering, civil, environment, health, storm water drains and infrastructure cells
- Recommendations’ sources
- Ministers, MPs and MLAs from the ruling party and Opposition
- Requested action
- A notification prohibiting public representatives from recommending transfers and postings