Pune,
In a startling revelation, serious allegations have emerged against the Legal Department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), accusing it of long-term neglect in disregarding the Commissioner’s orders. The controversy has reached a boiling point as it has been disclosed that, for the past nine years, the department has failed to submit a consolidated monthly report on the status of all court claims, as mandated by the former PMC Commissioner, Kunal Kumar.
Directive Ignored for Nearly a Decade:
Former Commissioner Kunal Kumar had initiated a directive necessitating the submission of a monthly report by the Legal Department to streamline information about court claims related to the Municipal Corporation. The order specified that the Legal Department must present a consolidated report through the Additional Commissioner by the fifth day of each month. Shockingly, it has been revealed that no such report has been submitted for almost a decade, sparking concerns about transparency and accountability.
NGOs Demand Action:
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within the city have raised their concerns over the prolonged non-compliance and are now demanding swift action. Vivek Velankar, President of Sajjan Nagarik Manch, brought this issue to the forefront after seeking information about the number of reports submitted by the Legal Department. To his dismay, it was disclosed that not a single report had been provided in the last nine years.
Call for Suspension and Investigation:
In February, Velankar lodged a complaint with Commissioner and Administrator Vikram Kumar, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of adherence to the Commissioner’s order. Despite the complaint, no monthly report has been forthcoming from the Legal Department. Velankar accuses the department of deliberately violating orders and is now urging the Commissioner to suspend the head of the Legal Department and conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
In the wake of these allegations, the transparency and integrity of Pune’s Municipal Corporation Legal Department are under scrutiny, raising questions about the responsible parties and the need for corrective action.
