BMC transfers close to 700 engineers in Mumbai through online lottery after cash-for-postings allegations

Mumbai: BMC transferred 695 engineers through an online lottery system following allegations of a cash-for-transfer scam last year.Civic officials said the online system, called Employee Transfer System Based on Randomisation, was used for shifting 152 junior engineers, 444 secondary engineers and 99 assistant engineers. “Eligible engineers were allowed to submit between one and five posting preferences and efforts were made to allot preferred postings. Transparency and impartiality were maintained in the transfer and posting process, which has once again shown that there is a positive attitude and satisfaction among the engineering cadre regarding the online process,” an official said.Additional municipal commissioner (eastern suburbs) Avinash Dhakne said most engineers received preferred postings. “This was a fair and transparent process. So now, offline transfers will be exceptions, in cases where there are mid-term transfers. All routine transfers will only take place through the online system. Even with bulk promotions, we will try to do it online only,” he said.The issue resurfaced after BMC ordered the transfer of 165 engineers in 2025. BJP MLA Ameet Satam alleged a cash-for-transfer practice, and the orders were later cancelled on chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s directions. Later, a committee, headed by the director of engineering services and projects, was set up to carry out periodic transfers in the engineering cadre. The committee subsequently carried out transfers of 169 engineers.Then, two months back, BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha had sought a detailed inquiry by chief secretary Rajesh Agrawal into financial transactions linked to engineers’ transfers.To bring transparency to the process, BMC decided to carry out transfers, promotions and postings in the engineering cadre online. Engineers completing at least three years in one department have to submit their transfer preferences online — minimum one and maximum five preferences. If an employee who has completed three years or more in the same department does not submit their preference online, the system will automatically assign postings according to manpower availability and vacancies. Transfer applications on disability or medical grounds may be submitted offline.RTI activist Anil Galgali, a complainant in the cash-for-transfer controversy, said, “The introduction of the online system marks a significant step towards ensuring transparency, fairness and accountability in BMC’s transfer process. It will also help curb political interference and eliminate undue influence in transfer decisions.”You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in MumbaiStay updated with the latest Mumbai news. Download the TOI App.