In a significant development, Lokayukta Justice VM Kande (retd) issued an order on November 10, 2023, putting a stop to payments to contractors responsible for internal roads and drainage projects within housing societies in Pune. This directive follows a complaint filed by activist Qaneez Sukhrani, alleging that MLA Sunil Tingre misused funds sanctioned for projects in Ashiana society and Karan Gharonda society in Vadgaonsheri.
The complaint contends that Tingre violated a Government Resolution (G.R.) dated July 12, 2016, which explicitly prohibits the use of MLA funds for private property or cooperative societies. While Tingre did not deny the allegations, he argued that the projects benefited the common citizens and had received approval from authorities, including the Collector and Divisional Commissioner.
Lokayukta Justice Kande, however, concluded that funds allocated to Tingre were indeed utilized for internal roads and drainage within the society, contravening the G.R. The order instructs the Divisional Commissioner and the Collector to withhold payments to contractors involved in the contested projects. Furthermore, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is mandated to re-examine the issue, including other proposed works, with a compliance report expected within twelve weeks.
In response to arguments citing a new G.R. dated June 22, 2022, permitting MLAs to spend funds on internal roads of societies, Lokayukta Kande clarified that the G.R. lacked retrospective effect and would not apply to this case.
When contacted, MLA Tingre stated, “In 2019, I was elected MLA for the first time and had undertaken some development works for the benefit of the people. Now, the state government has issued a new GR, and we are following that.”
