Dispute Between Mumbai BMC and MPSC Over Delayed Appointments

The ongoing conflict between the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) over the appointment of seven Assistant Commissioners has reached the Supreme Court, according to the latest reports from Mumbai. Despite instructions from the Supreme Court, the MPSC has reportedly delayed the process for a month, causing operational difficulties for the BMC.

Due to staff shortages, BMC has been forced to assign additional responsibilities to existing commissioners, leading to hardships for officers who now manage multiple departments. In response to this situation, BMC has lodged a contempt of court petition against MPSC in the Supreme Court, hoping to expedite the appointments.

Dr. Ashwini Joshi, an Additional Commissioner at BMC, stated, “We have repeatedly communicated with MPSC regarding the court’s orders dated April 16, 2024, and May 6, 2024, but have yet to receive any response.” The BMC had approached the MPSC for filling 16 positions in April 2021, and although the recruitment process began and concluded with interviews by September 2023, legal challenges from candidates ensued, delaying the appointments further.

Currently, 10 senior officers at BMC are bearing the burden of dual roles due to the delay. Among them, Kiran Dighavkar and Prithviraj Chauhan have been given additional responsibilities on top of their existing roles. This has urged the BMC to approach the Supreme Court with a special leave petition, seeking immediate resolution.

The Supreme Court’s directive on August 20, 2024, was clear: appoint the seven candidates who do not face any legal challenges. Yet, despite further correspondence from BMC on August 26, 2024, and September 2, 2024, the MPSC has not acted, prompting BMC’s legal action.

A key issue contributing to the delay is the alleged discord between IAS and IPS officers within the BMC and MPSC leadership, with current MPSC Chairman Rajnish Sheth being an IPS officer, a departure from the norm of appointing IAS officers to this position.