Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has come under scrutiny after a biomining tender worth ₹97 crore was approved and forwarded to the Standing Committee without the signature of the Chief of the Finance and Accounts Department.
This incident has raised questions about the vigilance and due diligence of the PMC's Vigilance Department, which is responsible for overseeing the administration's procedures and ensuring proposals meet all necessary requirements.
The tender in question involves the biomining of 10 lakh metric tons of waste at the Phursungi-Uruli Devachi garbage depot. The tender was pushed through in record time, with six departments granting approval in just one day.
However, despite the proposal being of a financial nature, it lacked the crucial signature of the Chief of the Finance and Accounts Department, a fact overlooked by the Vigilance Department.
The department did not raise any objections, instead approving the proposal and sending it to the Additional Commissioner with an explanation that the missing signature would be obtained later.
The PMC’s Vigilance Department, which is supposed to ensure thorough scrutiny of proposals, failed to object even to minor errors in this case. Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale, when asked, stated that all necessary signatures were present on the proposal.
Upon being informed of the missing signature, he assured that the file would be reviewed and appropriate measures would be taken.
Vivek Velankar, President of Sajag Nagrik Manch, has criticized the administration for neglecting due process. Velankar emphasized that the Vigilance Department should have closely examined all aspects of the tender, including the rates proposed by the administration and the contractor.
He stressed that ignoring such critical checks could set a dangerous precedent for future municipal operations.
