The Pune Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee has diverted Rs 5 crore earmarked for development works in Ward 22 to Ward 23, triggering objections from councillors who said they were not informed before the decision was approved.
The fund was originally provided in the civic budget for works in Kashewadi-Dias Plot, which falls in Ward 22. The money was shifted to Ward 23 D, comprising areas including Raviwar Peth and Nana Peth, through a resolution passed at a Standing Committee meeting on 27 August, according to a report by Sakal – Pune.
The decision has led to discontent within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, as BJP councillors from Ward 22 said they were kept unaware of the fund transfer. Congress councillor Rafiq Sheikh, who also represents the ward, was among the local representatives affected by the change.
Ward 22 includes a dense settlement and slum pockets in Kashewadi-Dias Plot. The original allocation covered repairs to toilets in Lohianagar, improvements to a girls’ school, removal of construction debris, thermoplastic road marking, upgrades at health centres, sports equipment for schools, repairs to gardens and footpaths, and bringing roadside chambers to proper level.
According to the report, the civic budget provides development allocations through the ‘C’ list. Ruling-party councillors receive approximately Rs 10 crore for development works, while opposition councillors receive between Rs 2 crore and Rs 5 crore. Standing Committee members, party leaders and other key office-bearers have access to allocations exceeding Rs 12 crore. Separate provisions are also made for collective development works for the four councillors in a ward.
The Rs 5 crore transfer proposal was moved by Vrushali Kamthe and Ratnamala Satav at the 27 August Standing Committee meeting and was approved immediately, the report said. The funds were shifted to the ward represented by Standing Committee member Vishal Dhanwade.
BJP councillor Archana Patil said Ward 22 required the allocation because of its slum and densely populated areas. She also alleged that Rs 2 crore had previously been transferred from the ward. Patil said she would raise the issue at a party meeting and questioned how development work could be carried out if funds were removed even from a ward represented by the ruling party.
The councillors have complained to House Leader Ganesh Bidkar and Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram. The report did not provide a decision from either official on the complaints.
Standing Committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale said the resolution had been passed in August and that he would respond after obtaining complete information about the matter.
