Pune: Chandrakant Patil Flags PMC Misgovernance Amid Delayed Elections; High-Level Meeting with Ajit Pawar Likely
Pune, 18th April 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been functioning under an administrative setup for the past three years due to the delay in civic elections. During this period, allegations of mismanagement and corruption have reportedly escalated.
Addressing these concerns at a press conference on Thursday, Minister Chandrakant Patil indicated that a high-level meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and senior PMC officials is likely to be convened soon to address the growing issues.
Patil chaired a review meeting with PMC officials to discuss persistent civic problems in the Kothrud area. Speaking to the media afterwards, he acknowledged that in the absence of elected representatives, the civic body’s administration has been functioning without adequate oversight—leading, he claimed, to multiple irregularities.
Serious lapses have come to light in recent months, including questionable approvals related to encroachment permissions, property tax assessments, tender processes for asphalt procurement, the hiring of security personnel, and drainage cleaning contracts.
Responding to media queries, Patil said that while regular meetings are already being held with Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol on broader city development, a separate, focused session will now be held to address governance failures within the PMC. “Officials will be held accountable, and I am working to ensure that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar is present at this meeting,” Patil added.
