25 Mhada employees face action for seeking political favour in transfers

Mhada issued show cause notices to 25 employees for using political influence for transfers, violating a 2011 ban on recommendation letters from politicians.

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) has issued show cause notices to 25 Class III and IV employees for allegedly using political influence to secure favourable transfers or stall pending ones.

25 Mhada employees face action for seeking political favour in transfers

The employees are from the clerical and support staff categories — including clerks, assistants, technicians, peons, civil engineering assistants, surveyors and stenotypists.

According to senior officials, these employees — drawn from various departments across Mhada’s multiple arms — had submitted recommendation letters from elected representatives in an attempt to either remain in their current postings or move to more desirable departments. These sought-after departments typically include those handling building repair permissions, estate management, reconstruction, and legal matters, all considered lucrative due to the sensitive nature of the work.

“These 25 individuals submitted letters from politicians to manipulate their transfers, either to avoid being shifted or to get posted to preferred departments,” a Mhada official confirmed.

While Mhada’s internal policy stipulates a three-year tenure for employees in a particular post, Group C (Class III) non-secretariat staff are allowed to serve a maximum of two such tenures — six years — before mandatory relocation. Group D (Class IV) employees generally don’t have fixed tenures but may be transferred based on complaints or administrative needs.

Last month, notices were served to the employees in question, who are posted across Mhada’s nine regional boards, including the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board, Mumbai Housing and Area Development Board, Konkan Board, Pune Board, and others.

“All of them were given 48 hours to submit their written explanation,” said Neelima Dhayagude, secretary, Mhada. “We’ve received their replies. Depending on the merit of each case, a hearing may be scheduled or a final order will be passed. The file is currently pending with me for further action.”

Notably, Mhada had issued a circular in July 2011 explicitly banning recommendation letters from Members of Parliament, MLAs, MLCs, state corporation officials, and other influential individuals not directly associated with the administration. Despite this, political interference in transfers continues to be a recurring problem within the organisation.