The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has introduced an automated, lottery-based system to handle transfers of its engineering staff. The move aims to bring greater transparency to the process and prevent political influence or alleged corruption in employee postings.
The decision comes after allegations of a cash-for-transfer scam raised serious questions about the fairness of the BMC's previous transfer system.
In its latest exercise, the civic body reassigned 695 engineers through a digital platform called the Employee Transfer System Based on Randomisation. The transfers included:
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152 junior engineers
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444 secondary engineers
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99 assistant engineers
The new system uses random selection to reduce human involvement and ensure that employee postings are handled fairly and objectively.
New System Aims to Prevent Political Interference
The BMC's decision follows controversy surrounding the cancellation of transfer orders for 165 engineers earlier this year. Allegations of financial misconduct were raised by BJP MLA Ameet Satam, prompting the Chief Minister to intervene.
Initially, a committee led by the director of engineering services and projects was assigned to supervise the transfer process. The civic body has now moved toward a permanent online lottery-based system.
Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Avinash Dhakne said the new arrangement has received a positive response from engineering staff.
According to the BMC, most engineers received postings based on their preferred locations. Employees can submit between one and five location preferences through the online system.
Who Must Apply for Online Transfers?
Under the new policy, engineers who have worked in the same department for at least three years must participate in the online transfer process.
Employees who fail to submit their preferences will automatically be assigned locations based on available vacancies and staffing requirements.
Offline transfers will only be considered in exceptional situations, including:
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Mid-term administrative requirements.
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Medical emergencies or specific health grounds.
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Disability-related circumstances.
RTI activist Anil Galgali, who had previously raised concerns about the alleged transfer scam, welcomed the decision.
He described the move as an important step toward limiting political interference and improving accountability within the municipal corporation.
With digital randomisation now in place, the BMC hopes to make staff transfers more transparent, fair, and free from behind-the-scenes influence.
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