The Pune Municipal Corporation has proposed appointing 45 assistant encroachment inspectors on a consolidated honorarium, prompting questions over whether the recruitment process is bypassing established procedures. The proposal comes as the civic body seeks additional staff to address encroachments across its expanded jurisdiction.
The Anti-Encroachment Department has cited staff shortages following the inclusion of 32 villages within the municipal limits. Pune’s jurisdiction now covers 484 square kilometres, and the department has reported a rise in roadside encroachments, unauthorised stalls and temporary structures in the newly included areas. These obstructions have reduced walking space and contributed to traffic congestion in several locations, particularly during the evening, according to the report by Sakal – Pune.
The civic body had recruited 100 assistant encroachment inspectors in 2022 to strengthen action against encroachments. At that time, 45 assistant inspectors who had been working with the PMC on a consolidated honorarium were removed from service. The latest proposal seeks the appointment of the same 45 individuals, according to the report.
Earlier, there had also been an attempt to absorb these workers into permanent municipal service as a one-time special measure. The Urban Development Department had sought the PMC’s views on the proposal. Prithviraj B. P., who was then the PMC’s additional commissioner, reportedly stated that bringing individuals into municipal service through such a route would not be justified.
Despite that earlier objection, the Anti-Encroachment Department has now sent a proposal to the General Administration Department seeking the appointment of the 45 individuals as assistant encroachment inspectors on a consolidated honorarium. Standing Committee chairperson Shrinath Bhimale has also recommended the recruitment, according to the report. No final decision has been taken so far.
Somnath Bankar, deputy commissioner of the Anti-Encroachment Department, said the proposal had been submitted because the expanded municipal limits required adequate manpower. “A proposal has been sent to the General Administration Department to appoint 45 assistant encroachment inspectors on a consolidated honorarium so that sufficient manpower is available following the expansion of the city limits,” he said, according to the report.
Kishori Shinde, deputy commissioner of the General Administration Department, confirmed that the file had been received but said she had not yet examined it. She said further information would be provided after the file was reviewed.
The recruitment procedure for consolidated-honorarium staff generally requires the civic body to issue a public notice and invite applications. Applications are then scrutinised and eligible and ineligible candidate lists are published. Such appointments are usually made for a period of six months, while the applicable terms and conditions are expected to be comprehensive and not designed to benefit a specific group, according to the procedural details cited in the report.
The immediate decision rests with the PMC’s General Administration Department, which is expected to examine the proposal and determine whether the proposed appointment complies with the applicable recruitment process and conditions.
