More that a hundred BMC employees who had been suspended over serious charges such as dereliction of duty and graft were reinstated in 2020, the reply to an RTI query has revealed. The reason for the shocking decision? Staff shortage amid the pandemic. However, the 117 officials and staffers in question are still on the civic body’s payroll. While a few of the reinstated officials were suspended for dereliction of duty and are facing departmental inquiries, many employees were caught red-handed accepting bribes by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

As per the data shared by the BMC in its reply to the RTI query dated April 20, which was filed by Girgaon-based social activist Jeetendra Ghadge, a total of 53 employees from the solid waste management department, 23 from the city engineer department, six from the hydraulic engineer department, six each from the security and fire departments, 17 employees from the health department, and six employees in total from three civic-run hospitals were suspended but are still working.