PMC chief instructs visiting and cross-checking doubtful works under ward development funds

With corporators having started using their ward development funds and concerned ward offices floating tenders for the development works ahead of civic polls, the PMC chief has taken a decision to monitor development works, avoid duplication of work, and curtail unnecessary spending on development works

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to strictly monitor development works and has issued directions to ward officers, zonal officers and the additional commissioner to pay visits to doubtful works suggested under the corporator’s ward development funds and cross-check them before paying the requisite amounts to the concerned contractors.

PMC chief has taken such a decision to monitor development works, avoid duplication of work, and curtail unnecessary spending on development works. (HT PHOTO)

With corporators having started using their ward development funds and concerned ward offices floating tenders for the development works ahead of civic polls, the commissioner has taken such a decision to monitor development works, avoid duplication of work, and curtail unnecessary spending on development works.

Kunal Khemnar, additional municipal commissioner, said, “The vigilance department raises objection to duplication of work in ward-level development works. Thereafter, we pursue the matter and visit the suggested spots. During the meeting, the PMC commissioner gave verbal orders to ward- and zonal- officals to visit the development works and review doubtful works.”

“A few days ago, we found the same drainage work in different areas within the same ward. However, we conducted a series of meetings and cross-checked the details of the work. Thereafter we found that different small works had been combined under one work. In another case, work completed last year was suggested in the same area and investigation revealed that last year, the work area had been changed and that this year, the same work was proposed. In such cases, we check the documents and visit the places. If we find any misleading information or irregularities, the concerned officials are punished,” Khemnar said.

In a third instance in the first week of July, the PMC received complaints of multiple tenders for the same work. At that time, the administration explained that the work was divided into different parts, which included changing drainage pipelines.