Maha housing minister gets authority to transfer Mhada officials

In a move that has raised eyebrows, the housing department has issued a circular giving the housing minister the authority to transfer class I and II Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Authority (Mhada) officials. Earlier, the transfers were done by Mhada itself. Officials said several senior officials in Mhada have been retaining their post for several years, despite the norm that transfers should be done every three years. Also, the rule that an official cannot be posted on the same Mhada board for more than six years is not followed. “Following several complaints, it was decided that the right to periodical and early transfers will be given to the government,” said the circular issued on Wednesday. It added that Mhada was given the authority to transfer its officials in 2008, but since then there have been complaints of officials being transferred several times. “There were complaints regarding the way transfers are handled at Mhada level. These are officer-level posts and are generally mired in corruption. This issues was also raise during Vidhan Sabha sessions and hence, the right to transfer Mhada officials has been given to the state government,” said an official.