3 weeks ago
BMC to Introduce Software-Based Engineer Transfer System Amid Allegations
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, or BMC, is the group that takes care of Mumbai city.
Some people said that engineers were getting their preferred jobs because they knew the right people, not because of their work.
People started calling this the 'transfer market.'
To fix this, the BMC wants to use a computer to decide which engineers get transferred where.
The engineers' group, called the Municipal Engineers' Association, likes this idea.
But they also want the city to show all job openings online and let engineers pick the places they prefer.
Before this, in October 2025, the BMC stopped the transfers of more than 160 engineers because of the complaints.
Later, in May 2026, a politician named Mihir Kotecha said about 55 workers were getting the same jobs again anyway.
The new computer system is expected to start working in October.
The BMC will replace discretionary engineer postings with a software-driven randomisation system to curb human intervention and improve transparency.
The Municipal Engineers' Association welcomed the reform but demanded online publication of vacancies, a preference system, and a transparent merit-based framework.
MEA President Ramesh Bhutekar-Deshmukh urged Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide to adopt a scoring system based on seniority, tenure, performance, experience, and administrative requirements.
The system is expected to roll out by October and will cover sub-engineers, junior engineers, and assistant engineers.
The move follows the October 2025 stay on transfers of over 160 engineers and May 2026 allegations by BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha that around 55 officials were being reassigned the same postings.
- Who
- The BMC civic administration, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, MEA President Ramesh Bhutekar-Deshmukh, and BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha
- What
- The BMC is set to introduce a software-driven randomisation system for engineer transfers to end allegations of favouritism and a 'transfer market.'
- Where
- Mumbai, in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
- When
- Expected rollout by October, following allegations in October 2025 and May 2026
- Why
- To curb human intervention, eliminate bias and arbitrary decisions, and improve transparency in engineer postings
BMC Administration
Engineers' Association and Critics
Transfer method
BMC Administration
A software-driven randomisation system will generate postings automatically based on vacancies and transfer norms, curbing human intervention.
Engineers' Association and Critics
The MEA wants a scoring system based on seniority, tenure, performance, experience, and administrative requirements, plus a three-to-five choice preference system.
Transparency
BMC Administration
The computerised system is intended to improve transparency and end allegations of engineers securing preferred postings through influence.
Engineers' Association and Critics
The MEA demands online publication of vacancies, the final merit list, scores, and transfer orders, along with a correction window and online appeal mechanism.
Fairness of current transfers
BMC Administration
Officials say the reform is meant to end allegations of a 'transfer market' in the civic body.
Engineers' Association and Critics
BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha alleged that around 55 officials from the scrapped transfer list were again being assigned the same postings under the guise of routine administrative transfers.
Key facts
- Organisation
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
- Reform
- Software-driven randomisation system for engineer postings
- Expected rollout
- October
- Coverage
- Sub-engineers, junior engineers, assistant engineers
- Municipal Commissioner
- Ashwini Bhide
- MEA President
- Ramesh Bhutekar-Deshmukh
- October 2025 incident
- Transfers of over 160 engineers stayed after 'transfer market' allegations
- May 2026 allegation
- Around 55 officials allegedly reassigned the same postings, per BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha
Quotes
A Municipal Engineers’ Association advocate
MEA advocate urging transparent transfer process
“"We demand a transparent merit-based framework that eliminates bias and arbitrary decisions."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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