The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has decided to scrap two major proposals that would have significantly increased civic expenditure, following public criticism and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for national austerity.
Fuel allowance hike withdrawn
The first proposal pertained to increasing the monthly fuel allowance for Class-I officers and office-bearers from Rs 39,000 to Rs 50,000. The civic body had approved the proposal last month, and the hike was slated for final approval during the general body meeting on May 15. However, Mayor Ravi Landge announced on Thursday that the hike would no longer proceed. The proposal is being officially rescinded during the general body meeting.
Security guard proposal rejected
In a separate decision on Wednesday, the standing committee also rejected a proposal to appoint private security guards for the standing committee chairman, the leader of the House, and the leader of the opposition. The civic body had earlier sought to hire personnel from the Maharashtra Ex-Servicemen Corporation (MESCO) at an estimated cost of Rs 75 lakh over two years. Currently, security detail is reserved exclusively for the mayor, deputy mayor, municipal commissioner, and additional commissioner.
Mayor cancels foreign tour
In a further move toward fiscal restraint, Mayor Landge also cancelled his upcoming official visit to Azerbaijan. He was scheduled to attend the World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan from May 17 to May 22. Citing the global energy crisis and the need to curb unnecessary spending, Landge declared he would refrain from all foreign tours for at least a year unless specifically mandated by the state or central government.
Background and justification
Standing committee chairman Abhishek Barne had previously defended the increase in fuel allowance, noting that it had not been revised since 2017 despite soaring inflation and fuel prices. Civic officials also argued that the Rs 50,000 allowance was more cost-effective than hiring private vehicles, which can cost the city between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh per month. Despite these arguments, public activists and residents' groups had strongly opposed both measures, calling them 'tone-deaf' given the current economic climate.
Appeal for conservation
To promote fuel conservation, the mayor also appealed to fellow corporators to lead by example by using public transport or bicycles for their daily commute. Civic activist Sudhir Deshmukh welcomed the move, stating, 'Corporators are public servants. Citizens should not be forced to bear the burden of maintaining private luxury for officials, especially when the common man is already struggling with inflationary pressures.'
