Pune Corporators Urge Immediate Action on Civic Issues in Merged Areas
In Pune, newly elected corporators on Friday confronted the administration regarding the severe lack of civic amenities in 23 recently merged areas, just two days after the state government issued a notification approving the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) as the planning authority for these pockets. During a general body (GB) meeting, the corporators emphasized the urgent need to prepare a draft development plan (DP) without delay and called for a dedicated meeting to address long-standing resident grievances.
Demands for Development and Amenities
The special GB session, primarily convened for appointing members to various committees including the standing committee, quickly shifted focus to the pressing issues in the merged areas. NCP's senior corporator Baburao Chandere led the charge, acknowledging PMC's efforts to secure planning authority status but stressing that further delays in providing relief to citizens are unacceptable. He highlighted that residents have been facing significant challenges for years, with slow-paced development works despite being under PMC's jurisdiction for the past five years.
Key problems cited include inadequate water supply, weak road networks, poor daily garbage management, and haphazard development projects. Chandere urged the administration to expedite the drafting of the development plan, noting that similar delays occurred with 11 previously merged areas, and such setbacks should not be repeated. He emphasized that the government's notification grants PMC powers to issue building permissions and collect revenue, which should be leveraged to identify reservations for essential facilities like schools, gardens, open areas, and crematoriums.
Property Tax and Administrative Challenges
Following the GB meeting, NCP's leader in PMC, Nilesh Nikam, spoke to the media, underscoring the need to resolve property tax collection issues in the merged areas. He pointed out flaws in the current system that require rectification. This concern echoes past actions, as the state government had earlier stayed property tax recovery from these areas after residents protested the levy in the absence of proper civic services.
Residents like Ajit Satav from Manjari expressed optimism, stating that it is encouraging to see newly elected corporators raising these issues and expecting concrete solutions soon. Previously, building permissions and plan sanctions were handled by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), but the recent notification designates PMC as the planning authority moving forward.
Additional Demands and Committee Appointments
Beyond the merged areas, corporators also advocated for extending the amnesty scheme for property tax defaulters by one month. Later in the GB, appointments were made to six committees, including the standing committee, where BJP appointed senior corporators such as Shrinath Bhimale, Kalinda Punde, Rupali Dhadve, and Vishal Dhanawade. NCP selected Amol Balwadkar, former mayor Vaishali Bankar, and Suhas Tingre, while Congress recommended former mayor Prashant Jagtap. Bhimale is anticipated to be elected as the standing committee's chairman. Other committees formed include city improvement, law, women and child development, sports, and names committees.
Mayor's Crackdown on Illegal Hoardings
City mayor Manjusha Nagpure announced on Friday that she has directed the civic administration to take strict action against illegal hoardings and banners proliferating across Pune. Many of these unauthorized displays have been erected by supporters of newly elected representatives to congratulate them. Nagpure asserted that corporators and their supporters are actively discouraging such practices to prevent defacement of the city.
Security Incident at PMC Headquarters
In a separate incident, a resident visiting the PMC headquarters on Friday to discuss a property tax dispute engaged in an argument with civic staff, during which he brandished a revolver and threatened to take his own life by pointing the gun at his head. Security personnel and staff intervened to pacify him. PMC commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated that the matter is under investigation, and a police complaint will be filed. He added that security measures at the PMC office will be enhanced, including thorough scrutiny of citizens before entry, to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
