17 hrs ago
BJP MLA Seeks Probe Into Alleged BMC Transfer Racket
A Mumbai lawmaker says some city engineers may have been moved to new jobs in exchange for money.
He has asked Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary to investigate.
He says he has information about a possible list showing prices for different transfers.
He also says officials took too long to answer his questions.
An activist separately said politicians recommended people for many transfers.
The municipal officer accused of wrongdoing denied the claims.
He said the transfers followed rules and considered staffing needs, reservations, and pregnant employees.
A similar dispute in 2025 involved 165 engineers, and those transfer orders were cancelled.
BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha has sought a probe into alleged financial irregularities and a possible “cash-for-transfer” racket involving BMC engineers.
Kotecha claimed he possesses information, including a possible “rate card,” and said questions sent to Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakane on August 5, 2026, went unanswered for 26 days.
A 2025 transfer order involving 165 BMC engineers was cancelled after MLA Ameet Satam alleged wrongdoing and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened.
Activist Anil Galgali alleged political recommendations in transfers involving 225 BMC officers and employees in 2026.
Dhakane denied wrongdoing, said records were provided by the City Engineer on August 18, 2026, and maintained that the transfers were fair and transparent.
- Who
- BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha, Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakane, activist Anil Galgali, BMC officials, and Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal are central to the dispute.
- What
- Kotecha has demanded an inquiry into alleged financial transactions, irregularities, and a possible “cash-for-transfer” racket involving BMC engineers and other employees.
- Where
- The allegations concern transfers within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- When
- The reported events concern transfers made two to three months before the articles; Kotecha wrote to officials on May 15 and August 5, 2026, while records were reportedly provided on August 18, 2026.
- Why
- Kotecha says an inquiry is needed to determine whether money or political recommendations influenced transfers and whether officials improperly delayed information.
Inquiry Advocates
Municipal Administration
Whether money influenced transfers
Inquiry Advocates
Mihir Kotecha alleged financial irregularities and claimed to possess “rate card” information, saying an inquiry could establish whether money changed hands.
Municipal Administration
Avinash Dhakane denied wrongdoing and said the transfers were conducted fairly and transparently.
Delay in providing records
Inquiry Advocates
Kotecha said his questions remained unanswered for 26 days and suggested that the delay raised questions about Dhakane’s role.
Municipal Administration
Dhakane said he promptly directed the City Engineer’s office, where the records were kept, to provide the information and that a list was given to Kotecha on August 18.
Role of political recommendations
Inquiry Advocates
Anil Galgali alleged that recommendations from ministers, legislators, MPs, deputy mayors, and corporators appeared alongside the names of employees in a 2026 transfer list.
Municipal Administration
The articles report Dhakane’s general denial of wrongdoing but do not provide a specific response to Galgali’s political-recommendation allegation.
Key facts
- Requested inquiry
- Kotecha asked Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal to order a detailed probe and consider action against responsible officials.
- Alleged practice
- Kotecha alleged a possible “cash-for-transfer” arrangement involving BMC engineers and claimed to possess “rate card” information.
- 2025 controversy
- A transfer order involving 165 BMC engineers was later cancelled after allegations by MLA Ameet Satam and intervention by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- 2026 proposal
- Kotecha said a proposed list included about half of the engineers from the earlier 165-person proposal and was subsequently cancelled, according to his account.
- Political recommendations claim
- Activist Anil Galgali alleged that political recommendations were associated with transfers involving 225 BMC officers and employees.
- Information request
- Kotecha said he sought answers from Avinash Dhakane on August 5, 2026, and received no response for 26 days.
- Municipal response
- Dhakane said the City Engineer provided the available information on August 18, 2026, and said the transfers were fair and transparent.
Quotes
Avinash Dhakane
Additional Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
“I have information regarding these irregularities, including a ‘rate card’. To verify these allegations, I raised several questions and sought relevant information from AMC Dhakane on August 5, 2026. Despite nearly 26 days having passed, I have not received a response,””
freepressjournal.in
“I have ensure all the transfers are in transperancy manner, and all requirements by the departments and staff are considered. May it be pregnant women, equal number of male and female staff in departments, reservations and all rules and regulations are followed,”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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