Mumbai civic officers play cricket during office hours, face flak

Already under fire for not meeting the deadline to fix potholes in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal

Already under fire for not meeting the deadline to fix potholes in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is facing flak as its officers were found playing cricket in G-North ward — which includes Dadar and Parel — during working hours on Monday.

Officials were seen playing cricket at the Antonio D’Silva School playground during duty hours on Monday. However, in defence of their action, the officials claimed that before stepping out of the office to play cricket, they had ensured all the pending work was complete and were playing only during lunch hours.

Officials were seen playing cricket at the Antonio D’Silva School playground during duty hours on Monday. However, in defence of their action, the officials claimed that before stepping out of the office to play cricket, they had ensured all the pending work was complete and were playing only during lunch hours.

The ward office was vacant from 12 pm to 3 pm. Civic chief Ajoy Mehta said that he will look into the matter.

“Engineers created ruckus and said one of them was insulted when they were criticised for not filling potholes and threatened to go on strike. Why aren’t they embarrassed now when they were not on work during office hours,” said Sandeep Deshpande, group leader, MNS.

Opposition leader Pravin Chedda also criticised the officials for unprofessionalism.