More than 25 applications for hereditary appointments of sanitation workers’ family members have remained pending with the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation for about a year, despite a state government order requiring such cases to be decided within a month, according to the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena. The union has asked the municipal commissioner to initiate action against officials responsible for the delay.
The pending cases relate to the appointment of eligible heirs of sanitation workers after retirement. The state government has issued orders allowing such family members to be taken into service, with the provision intended to protect the livelihood of sanitation workers’ households. The arrangement was made in line with the recommendations of the Lad-Pangey Committee, according to the report.
Over the past year, several heirs of sanitation workers are reported to have submitted applications to the civic body seeking appointment. Some applications have been disposed of, but more than 25 cases described as nominated cases are still pending, the union has claimed. Under the government order, applications are expected to be decided within one month of receipt.
The union alleged that the municipal administration has not acted on the pending cases for nearly a year. It also said that applicants had not been informed about the action taken on their individual applications or the reasons for the delay.
The issue has also raised questions about staffing within the civic body. The union said that some posts in the municipal corporation are vacant and that the administration requires additional manpower, even as the pending hereditary appointments have not been completed. The report does not specify the number of vacant posts or whether the pending applicants are being considered against particular sanctioned positions.
The corporation has previously made several appointments through the nomination process, according to the report. On that basis, the Bharatiya Kamgar Sena has called for the municipal administration to clarify its position on the cases that remain pending and explain the reasons for the delay.
The union has asked Municipal Commissioner to order an inquiry into the officials responsible for delaying the appointments and to take action in accordance with the state government order. The report does not include a response from the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation or the municipal commissioner to the allegations.
The immediate next step sought by the union is an administrative review of the pending applications, followed by a decision on the appointments and action, if warranted, against officials found responsible for the delay.
