BMC designates junior officers; engineers upset

BMC will now appoint a designated assistant engineer for specific wards to identify illegal construction projects and take stringent action.

The decision comes almost a year after a state government directed the civic administration to take action against illegal construction.

"The law provides for penalty or prosecution of officials in case they fail to take action against illegal construction," said civic chief Sitaram Kunte.

While senior BMC officials say the rule will empower junior officers, assistant engineers feel the move is aimed at shifting the onus on lower ranks. "Senior officials could not handle such a task as it involves haggling with politicians or anti-social elements. BMC should not take the easy way out," said Sainath Rajadhyaksha, general secretary of BMC's engineers union.

At present, the responsibility for projects (where Occupation Certificate is not given) lies with the building proposal department. Once the certificate is given, the onus is on regional assistant municipal commissioner (AMC), two ranks above assistant engineer.

Officials admitted the move may not be effective. "The people one has to face include politicians, local corporators, etc. Assistant engineers' designation can come in the way of interacting with such people," said an official.

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