Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation is grappling with major staff shortage, with more than two-thirds of its regular posts, over 60%, lying vacant. This is the situation across crucial administrative and technical wings.
Of the 5,611 sanctioned regular posts in the civic body, 3,767 are currently vacant, leaving only 1,769 employees on the rolls. The shortfall spans key departments, including the MC directorate, medical office of health (MOH) wing, and the engineering department, which covers public health, electrical, horticulture, building and roads wings.
The civic body has compiled complete details of serving employees and vacant posts as part of its annual budget proposals. This staffing data is expected to be placed before the MC House in a special budget meeting scheduled later this month. After securing approval from elected members, the MC plans to forward the matter to the Chandigarh administration to seek permission and push for filling vacant positions. Officials pointed out that since sanctioned strength is vital for any govt department, prolonged vacancies may even lead to lapse of posts, making timely action essential.
Alongside regular staff, the MC currently engages 75 employees on direct contractual basis. However, the bulk of its workforce consists of outsourced employees hired through service agencies. As of Dec 2025, the MC had a total workforce of 8,740 employees, of whom 6,546 were outsourced. For the upcoming financial year 2026-27, beginning April 1, the civic body has assessed the requirement for outsourced manpower at 6,852 employees.
In addition, the MC has 347 daily wagers working across its administrative and technical departments. These employees also shoulder essential duties in various wings, where regular staff shortages persist.
Sources said the issue of filling vacant regular posts and associated staffing data was discussed extensively during preparation of the annual budget. Once the MC House grants approval, the proposal will be formally sent to the Chandigarh administration. The authority is expected to press for expedited recruitment to address the severe manpower gap. According to officials, the MC intends to raise the matter "aggressively" to ensure that long-pending vacancies are filled at the earliest.
Box: Sanctioned and vacant posts
Wing | Sanctioned strength | Regular | Direct contract | Vacant
1: MC directorate | 335 | 215 | 6 | 114
2: Public Health | 1,297 | 304 | 30 | 963
3: Building and Roads | 700 | 271 | 11 | 418
4: Horticulture | 524 | 120 | 4 | 400
5: Electrical | 91 | 30 | 13 | 48
6: MOH | 2,062 | 368 | 10 | 1,684
7: Fire wing | 602 | 461 | 1 | 140
Total | 5,611 | 1,769 | 75 | 3,767
Box: Outsourced manpower strength
Wing-----------Outsourced till Dec-2025
1: Public Health----------------------1,301
2: Building and Road-------------1,156
3: Horticulture----------------------1,134
4: Electrical--------------------------101
5: Solid Waste Management----42
6: MOH-------------------------------2,636
7: MC Directorate------------------176
Total----------------------------------6,546
Total strength in MC till Dec 2025--------8,740
MSID:: 128351203 413 |
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