Documents Reveal Double Payment Compared to Mumbai Rates; Officials Disclaim Responsibility
The Pune Collector’s Office has come under scrutiny for its handling of porter services, with revelations of exorbitant payments made to a private firm for tasks that could have been fulfilled through government channels.
During the inspection of porter supply tenders, it was discovered that the office paid double the rate for porter services compared to Mumbai. While porters in Mumbai were hired for Rs. 466 for eight hours, those in Pune were appointed at a staggering Rs. 850 for the same duration.
This financial inconsistency was brought to light during the scrutiny of tenders for tasks such as the transportation of EVM machines during the Vidhan Sabha and other elections in 2023.
Documents obtained through investigations point to the unnecessary expenditure of lakhs of rupees by the Pune Collector’s Office, particularly during Rajesh Deshmukh’s tenure as the collector.
The e-tendering process initiated by the district collector aimed to streamline the procurement of porters. However, concerns have been raised regarding the privatization of porter services, as laws dictate that the Mathadi Board of the Maharashtra government should be approached for such requirements.
When questioned about the determination of porter rates, officials from the election branch disclaimed responsibility, shifting the blame to the Supply Department. However, further inquiry revealed discrepancies in their statements, with the Naib Tehsildar suggesting that misinformation might have been provided by the election branch.
As investigations continue, questions linger regarding accountability and transparency in the allocation of government resources.
