Mumbai Metro staff upset over 'flawed' quarter allotment process

Despite the Mumbai Metro network expanding and operating smoothly serious internal grievances have surfaced within the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited MMMOCL mdash the operating body responsible for Metro and Monorail services under Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority MMRDAHighlighting this along with other key issues the employees are urging higher authorities as well as the MMRDA leadership to step in and restore fairness transparency and trust within MMMOCLEmployees have raised concerns over what they call a ldquoflawed and nontransparentrdquo allotment process for newly inaugurated staff quarters located at the Charkop Metro Depot The quarters were officially opened earlier this year by Chief Minister CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath ShindeControversial allotment sparks employee outcryOn December 1 employees received an official notification via the eoffice system regarding the distribution of residential quarters The method used for allotmentmdashprioritising ldquofirst loginrdquo on the websitemdashhas drawn widespread criticism from groundlevel operational staffWorkers argue that such a system is impractical for those engaged in essential maintenance likening it to ldquobooking a Tatkal ticketrdquo at the cost of interrupting critical metro operationsAlthough seniority and date of joining DOJ were later listed as additional criteria employees allege that these norms were not followed when final allocations were issuedDeviation from standard government normsAs per practices widely followed in government bodies and metro corporations across India quarter allotment is typically based on seniority and date of joiningEmployees claim that MMMOCLrsquos Human Resources HR Department and management did not provide a clear explanation for deviating from these norms leading to frustration among staffDue to the abrupt changes and lack of transparency several employees assert that they despite being eligible for the quarters have been left without housingMany say their families now face uncertainty as they attempt to secure accommodation in Mumbairsquos already challenging housing environmentDemandsImmediate suspension of the current allotment processA fresh transparent allotment list strictly based on government normsAssurance that no punitive action will be taken against employees raising concernsImprovements in communication and administrative transparency for future processesBroader concerns Beyond housing issues employees have highlighted multiple systemic problems within MMMOCLStagnant promotions Many workers claim they have not been promoted even after more than five years of serviceUnequal promotion practices Staff allege that some administrative employees received promotions without official notificationsDifficulty in obtaining NOCs Employees describe the NOC noobjection certificate process as unnecessarily restrictive limiting career mobilityLack of clear administrative rules Workers say absence of defined policies creates confusion and inconsistent decisionmakingDeployment without orders Some claim they are sent to other metro lines or stations for testing and operations without formal deployment lettersNo fresh recruitment Instead of hiring new permanent staff contractual employees allegedly with insufficient experience are being appointedVacant senior posts Even with several senior roles unfilled longserving employees say they are not being considered for advancementExperienced staff resigning According to employees mismanagement and lack of growth have pushed many skilled workers to leave the organisationEmployees said that unresolved administrative issues may impact longterm organisational performance even though Mumbai Metros operations currently remain unaffected While the citys metro system continues to run efficiently above ground employees argue that the organisation that keeps it moving is ldquoderailedrdquo by internal mismanagementMMRDA officials said they will be unable to comment on any of the issues immediately since the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly session was on