The RTI data, sought by activist Jeetendra Ghadge, revealed that a large portion of these reinstated employees are spread across multiple departments of the BMC. Among them, employees from the solid waste management division, the city's engineering department, and health-related departments made up the bulk. These departments have been under scrutiny for corruption scandals and poor governance in the past, leading to public criticism of the decision to allow these employees to return to their posts without awaiting the full outcome of their cases.
Opposition political parties have expressed concern over these developments. They claim that the reinstatement of these employees, particularly in light of the upcoming elections, could be a politically motivated decision to retain influence over key departments in the city’s civic administration. Local leaders have demanded greater transparency from the BMC, questioning whether the move compromises ethical standards and governance, especially given the pending charges against these employees.
The BMC, however, defended the move by stating that none of the reinstated employees have been convicted of their charges yet, maintaining that they are reinstated on an interim basis, pending the outcomes of legal proceedings. According to civic officials, the reinstatement orders are in line with labor laws that allow employees to resume duties when cases against them have not reached finality. The BMC also emphasized that this was necessary to ensure that important civic services, such as waste management and public health, are not disrupted.
Critics, however, argue that this reasoning is insufficient, given the number of employees involved and the serious nature of some of the charges. Observers have noted that a substantial portion of these cases involves financial misconduct and bribery, which has long been a thorn in the side of Mumbai's civic administration. The general public, they argue, deserves better accountability from its officials, especially in departments as vital as health and infrastructure.
Many of the reinstated employees had been suspended at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when the BMC was dealing with an overwhelming caseload. Some were allowed to return to duty temporarily due to a shortage of manpower during the health crisis, but their continued employment post-pandemic, given the unresolved cases, raises questions about the motivations behind their reinstatement. While the BMC cited the need for operational continuity, detractors pointed out that this decision could backfire, potentially undermining trust in civic administration just as Mumbai gears up for its elections.
Public sentiment has been vocal about this reinstatement wave. Local activist groups have been demanding a more comprehensive review of corruption allegations within the BMC. They also call for clearer rules regarding the reinstatement of employees who have not been cleared of wrongdoing, especially when the charges relate to financial malfeasance or dereliction of public duties.
The BMC’s solid waste management department, in particular, has been at the center of controversy. Known for handling contracts worth billions of rupees, this department has had a history of corruption allegations, with several high-ranking officials embroiled in scandals involving illegal payments and misappropriation of funds. The fact that 53 of the reinstated employees belong to this department has drawn sharp criticism, with commentators questioning whether the BMC is serious about cleaning up its operations or merely looking to protect its internal networks.
Further complicating matters is the strained political climate in Maharashtra, where civic issues often become proxy battlegrounds for state-level political rivalry. With control of Mumbai’s municipal body being a highly prized asset in state politics, both the ruling coalition and opposition parties are positioning themselves aggressively ahead of the polls. The reinstatement of employees with unresolved criminal and corruption charges has thus become a flashpoint in the lead-up to the elections, fueling debate about corruption, governance, and public accountability.