In a response to directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Maharashtra government has submitted a compliance report suggesting three names for the position of BrihanMumbai Corporation (BMC) Commissioner. The proposed candidates are Bhushan Gagrani, Anil Diggikar, and Sanjay Mukherjee, all seasoned IAS officers.
The move follows the ECI’s instruction to transfer the incumbent BMC Commissioner, Iqbal Singh Chahal, who has held the position since May 8, 2020. Additionally, the ECI urged the state government to transfer other officials, including Additional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of BMC and other civic bodies, who have either completed a three-year term or will do so by June of the current year.
Bhushan Gagrani, currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, and Anil Diggikar, the General Manager of the BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport, both belong to the 1990 batch of IAS officers. Sanjay Mukherjee, from the 1996 batch, holds the position of Commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Authority.
Despite the ECI’s directive, Iqbal Singh Chahal will continue to serve as the BMC Commissioner until the ECI provides a decision on the recommended candidates.
Meanwhile, in response to the ECI’s order, the Urban Development Department has initiated the immediate transfer of 34 Deputy Commissioners from various civic bodies.