The city's infrastructure may be crumbling, but those who are part of the set up that is required to put it in place are missing in large numbers.
As per information provided under RTI, of the over 4,482 posts of engineers, 969 are vacant. The details provided by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) are as of January 2019.
The information was provided under RTI to applicant Anil Galgali. Galgali through his April 25, 2019 application had sought details of the vacant posts.
Galgali was provided information recently after the BMC's letter did not reach him.
As per information provided, the vacancies are in the grades "A" and "B".
The posts are of junior engineer, sub engineer, assistant engineer, executive engineer and deputy chief engineer among others. In each of the grades, there are different pay grades in which there is a vacancy.
The information provided by city engineer's office stated that these were vacancies as per quarterly report prepared from October 1 to December 31, 2018.
Of the 4,482, 969 posts are vacant while 3,516 are occupied as on January 2019.
"They had sent an intimation letter in May but I did not receive it. When I went to enquire, they asked me to pay the fees and collect the information three days ago. They have given me this as their latest report. They said there is no other report they have received as yet," said Galgali of the time gap between the dates.
He added, "I had sought this information because when we go to the ward office, they say that no engineer is there or there is staff shortage and hence work cannot be taken ahead. I wanted to check that. Due to vacancies not being filled up, they are not able to give proper service to people. They should at least ensure that the posts are filled even if they cannot increase the sanctioned staff strength."
Bhaskar Prabhu, a former member of BMC's technical advisory committee said, "They should fill up the vacant positions soon and there should be accountability on people who occupy the said post. Engineering posts are filled up then there will be proper implementation of civic work because right from road repairs to buildings in everything engineers play a crucial role."
The city engineer did not answer calls from DNA.
KEY INSIGHTS
- As per information provided under RTI, of the over 4,482 posts of engineers, 969 are vacant
- The details provided by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) are as of January 2019
- As per the information provided under RTI, the vacancies in the civic body are in the grades “A” and “B”
