Mumbai: BMC cracks the whip, sacks 55 staffers for corruption, suspends 134 for graft, crimes

Mumbai: The BMC administration has taken strict action against corrupt employees, with 55 who were found guilty in court being dismissed from service. Additionally, 53 employees against whom corruption charges are still pending and 81 employees against whom FIRs are registered have been suspended from the service.

These 55 dismissed employees have not only lost their jobs but also their pensions, gratuity and other benefits. They have also been blacklisted and will not be allowed to work in any government or semi-government institute in future.

The civic administration claimed that certain parameters for work were put in place by BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal after he took charge. These included transparency in the work done and strict adherence to the BMC rules. It was also decided that strict action would be taken against any form of corruption.

The BMC administration has claimed they cooperate with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) which can file a charge sheet in the court but only after permission from the civic body.

As of today, there are 142 cases registered with the ACB, of which the BMC has given permission to prosecute 105 cases. Of the 37 cases remaining, 30 cases are in the investigation stage. Therefore, these cases have not come before the BMC administration for approval. If they come in future, the administration will deal with them accordingly. As for the remaining seven cases, the civic administration has communicated its decision to the ACB and three are in the final stage of approval to prosecute.

Since 2018, the ACB has sought permission for prosecution in 395 complaints. Of these, 359 complaints were found to be baseless. Of the remaining 18 complaints, 14 are found to be false while a ward level inquiry and action have been undertaken in 4 cases.