Mumbai: At least two executive engineers and eight assistant engineers declined promotions to the posts of deputy chief engineer and executive engineer, respectively, despite being eligible,while another executive engineer did not submit his documents for the promotion process.This has raised concerns over whether any vested interests, undue influence or other improper considerations may have prompted the officials to refuse the promotions. Congress group leader Ashraf Azmi has written to the BMC commissioner seeking a detailed fact-finding inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the cases. Azmi also raised the issue during the Standing Committee meeting on Thursday.“Why would anybody refuse to accept a promotion despite becoming eligible after a prolonged delay caused by technical issues and consequential court proceedings? The refusal of promotions across two levels of the engineering cadre is highly unusual and raises legitimate concerns. Therefore, the civic body should conduct a detailed fact-finding inquiry into the circumstances surrounding these cases and examine the written representations, if any, submitted by the concerned officers for declining the promotions. The inquiry should identify the departments, projects, divisions and assignments in which these officers are presently posted and determine whether there is any common factor influencing their decision,” Azmi said.Azmi further alleged that a majority of these officials are currently posted in departments such as SRA, Development Plan, Building Proposal and Vigilance. The corporator pointed out that it is public knowledge that certain engineering postings within the BMC involve substantial interaction with developers, contractors, consultants and other stakeholders. “The unusual nature of these refusals indicates that some officers may wish to continue in their existing departments or assignments rather than assume higher responsibilities,” Azmi alleged.Activist Anil Galgali said, “Why would any official refuse a promotion, which would involve a better pay package and also positively affect retirement benefits, unless it is due to vested interests such as corruption? The Commissioner should take action against these officials under the MMC Act. These officials are also obstructing the promotions of those junior to them.”Azmi also demanded the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive policy governing the refusal of promotions by BMC employees, including provisions relating to transfers, postings and administrative review.Earlier, after the civic body cancelled the transfers of more than 120 civic engineers following allegations of corruption, the BMC constituted a special committee to enhance transparency in the internal transfer process for BMC engineers.
