Politicos continue to write recommendation letters

Politicians still write recommendation letters to bureaucrats and the CM, it has come to light. As many as 15 letters were written to the chief minister recommending appointments, the reply to an RTI application has revealed.

The application was filed by city-based Jeetendra Ghadge. As per the reply, the letters were written by Ajit Pawar, Madhukarrao Pichad, Chhagan Bhujbal, Jayant Patil and Sudhir Mungantiwar, among others.

Ajit Pawar and Pichad had written three each. Almost everyone except Jayant Patil had written letters recommending posting outside Mumbai. Patil had written the letter for a person who wanted to be transferred to Mhada.

"That person had actually been promoted to IAS cadre. There was a lot of injustice in not posting him. Officers who are junior to him had been appointed. He wanted this fact brought to the notice of the CM. Some time before too a letter was written supporting him. He had wanted to remain in Mumbai at that time due to issues in the family," said Patil.

Pichad justified recommending saying that he was a seven-term member, knew the law and that postings are done as per law. "People keep coming to us with requests. Transfers are carried out as per rules. If it is right, they do it, or else don't. I recommend as I know the rules. I have not done anything wrong," he said.

Ajit Pawar said he was out of Mumbai and would react once back. Others could not be contacted as their phones were switched off.