RTI reveals netas wrote for babus' appointments

DNA: Mumbai: Thursday, 06 August 2015.

The application was filed by Girgaum resident Jeetendra Ghadge. Ghadge in his application had sought details of politicians who had filed applications for transfer and postings.

Politicians and babus have not been able to keep their hands off in the usual flow of work. An RTI application has revealed that a number of officers and political leaders has been writing letters for postings of people they know. And no surprises on guessing that most of the postings are recommended for housing, Mhada and SRA.

The application was filed by Girgaum resident Jeetendra Ghadge. Ghadge in his application had sought details of politicians who had filed applications for transfer and postings. The reply, which gave letters since 2011, gave names of nine leaders including current minister of women and child welfare Pankaja Munde, former chairperson of legislative assembly Shivajirao Deshmukh, former ministers Arif Naseem Khan, Chhagan Bhujbal and Sachin Ahir. Others whose named featured are Ramdas Athavale, Mallikarjun Reddy, Prashant Bam, Charan Singh Sapra and Rajeev Satav.

Khan, who has written most letters, sought postings of officers to SRA. Ahir sought transfers in the public banks. Bhujbal sought transfer of an officer to his constituency Nashik.

Sapra's letter was pleading for a case of an engineer to be transferred from Mhada to SRA. Satav sought a transfer of an officer stating that he belonged to his constituency and that the person's parents are unwell. Athavale sought that complaint against an officer be dropped. Reddy too stated that an officer was away from his family in Nagpur and he should be given a place close by. Prashant Bam wanted an officer be removed as he was private secretary to Chhaggan Bhujbal whose enquiry is underway.

In most cases, the then chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and present CM Devendra Fadnavis remarked "please consider" to such requests.

"It was disheartening to see a CM writing 'please consider' on some of them. Had these people worked on policies instead of asking for postings for their people, buildings would not have been collapsing by the day," said Ghadge.