Pune Municipal Corporation’s Staff Exodus: 71 Resignations and 13 Retirements in a Year

Pune, 26th October 2024: Thousands of youths apply and take exams to secure jobs in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), but only a few candidates qualify for the positions. Many of these candidates are also pursuing government jobs elsewhere. As they receive offers from better opportunities than the PMC, it has been observed that they are accepting those positions instead. In the last year, 71 individuals have resigned, while 13 have opted for voluntary retirement due to changes in working conditions, health issues, and work pressure.

A significant number of posts have become vacant due to a ten-year ban on recruitment in the PMC. After the State Government lifted this moratorium in 2022, the administration initiated the recruitment process. Last year, the recruitment process for 448 positions, including 135 Junior Engineers, was conducted. Following that, in the second phase, the recruitment for 320 positions across nine posts was completed.

Subsequently, it was decided to recruit 100 Junior Engineers (Civil), seven Deputy Works Officers, one Deputy Chief Fire Officer, one Divisional Fire Officer, and one Assistant Divisional Fire Officer. However, as the Maratha reservation is to be included in this recruitment, the proposal has been sent to the government. Since no decision has been made, this recruitment has been halted.

So far, the administration has recruited for 808 posts in two phases. However, 71 posts have become vacant again due to resignations from various positions, including clerks, junior engineers, firemen, assistant encroachment inspectors, and divisional medical officers. The corporation is facing challenges in making the recruitment process transparent and verifying documents, while newly appointed officers and employees are retiring.

As newly appointed officers resign from their jobs at the PMC, there has also been an increase in the voluntary retirement of experienced Class I officers. The main reasons cited by these officials are the work stress in the PMC and its negative impact on their health. Some have resigned for family reasons, but it has also been revealed that these retired officers are working for large construction companies, semi-government organizations, and private firms.

The waiting list for government recruitment is currently one year long. Therefore, if an employee or officer leaves during this period, the candidate on the waiting list is given a chance. However, many who leave their positions at the PMC after completing one year do not allow candidates on the waiting list to take their place.