Navi Mumbai: A citizens’ group has urged Mayor Sujata Patil and municipal commissioner Kailas Shinde to reform Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s vigilance, quality-control, appointment and transfer systems, citing concerns over infrastructure quality, public spending and administrative transparency. In separate representations, the Alert Citizens’ Forum (ACF) sought an independent Vigilance and Quality Control Department headed full-time by a qualified, experienced civil or structural engineering expert from IIT Bombay or other reputed technical institutions.It said the department should work under the municipal commissioner’s direct supervision and have powers to inspect construction materials, undertake site assessments and laboratory tests, audit project quality and fix responsibility for substandard work. The Forum questioned whether NMMC’s engineering officials could independently scrutinise their colleagues’ work. It said the quality-control mechanism should not become an administrative formality.The Forum also sought regular appointments to sanctioned administrative and engineering posts according to prescribed qualifications, experience and service rules. Additional charges should be given only in unavoidable circumstances and for a defined, limited period, it said.Referring to NMMC’s transfer and posting order dated Nov 3, the Forum sought clarification on whether the Belapur executive engineer’s post had remained vacant for the preceding six to eight months. It requested details of the officer holding additional charge and the person responsible for overseeing the post’s functions.It also demanded publication of the findings and performance report of the Quality Control Committee constituted nearly two years ago. The disclosure should cover projects inspected, deficiencies found, recommendations concerning defective work, action against contractors, corrective measures and accountability fixed on officials.The Forum sought a computerised online transfer system for all NMMC employees, officers and engineers, modelled on Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s system. It proposed objective criteria, including seniority, tenure, vacancies, administrative requirements and employee preferences.Transfer criteria, vacancies and final orders should be published on a public portal, while reasons for premature transfers should be recorded in writing, it said. The mechanism should minimise discretion and political interference.The Forum also requested disclosure of administratively permissible details, including recommendations and transfer criteria, from the Civil Services Board meeting held on Oct 28, 2026. Transfers and postings should be reviewed under applicable service rules and eligibility criteria, subject to statutory confidentiality requirements.The Forum asked Patil to direct Shinde to examine and implement the proposals and submit a time-bound action-taken report. Its separate representation to Shinde sought written responses and a definite implementation timeline.
