Demoted BMC education officer Shambhavi Jogi has been reinstated to the post of education officer after the Bombay high court granted a stay on her demotion that the BMC commissioner had meted out on the grounds of incompetence. In her application, Ms Jogi had prayed that as there was no inquiry with regards to the allegations based on which she was demoted, she should be reinstated till a proper inquiry is conducted and allegations proved. The court upheld her prayer and asked the civic corporation to have a ‘status quo’ that implied Ms Jogi could get back to her post.
On October 24, BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta had issued a circular stating that Ms Jogi was demoted due to her inefficiency and ineptitude.
The order was with immediate effect and despite Ms Jogi writing to the corporation asking to be given a post of deputy education officer on October 26 the civic authorities did not heed and hence she approached the Bombay high court on October 28.
Ms Jogi’s demotion had been opposed by the Shiv Sena, which said that the commissioner had no right to pass such demotion orders on a whim and they would support Ms Jogi for being reinstated to her post. However, Ms Jogi opted for judicial help and in her prayer requesting a stay on her suspension said that as the inefficiency and ineptitude was not proved she should be given back her post.
When asked about the same, Ms Jogi preferred not to comment and said that as the issue was subjudice she did not want to comment.
Ms Jogi had been accused of inefficiency and ineptitude before and after she was made an education officer. However, the allegations became thick and fast after she took over.
The most recent allegations were of not distributing the 27 free articles to students in BMC-run schools on time apart from being accused of delaying clearance of files, high-handed attitude, lack of leadership qualities and decision-making by corporators and employees alike.
