Pune Municipal Corporation tenders have become the focus of a language-compliance dispute after a tender advertisement issued by the civic body’s gardens department appeared entirely in English in a Marathi newspaper. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and its student wing have demanded immediate action, alleging that the notice failed to follow statutory requirements for the use of Marathi in local-authority tenders and advertisements.
The tender advertisement was published on 3 November 2026 and concerned multiple development works handled by the Pune Municipal Corporation’s gardens department, according to a report by Civic Mirror. The report said the advertisement appeared in a Marathi daily but was written completely in English, prompting objections from the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena and the MNS.
The organisations have issued an ultimatum to Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar, seeking a written and uniform language policy for tender advertisements across all civic departments. The demand comes amid a wider question over how municipal procurement information is made accessible to residents, contractors and other potential bidders.
According to the report, MNS state chief organiser Prashant Kanojia alleged that the civic administration had disregarded legal provisions concerning Marathi as the official language of local authorities. The Maharashtra Local Authorities (Official Languages) Act, 2022, is cited in the report as requiring the use of Marathi in tenders and advertisements issued by local authorities or their departments under Section 3(5).
The report also refers to a 19 November 2015 government resolution issued by the Urban Development Department, which directed local self-government institutions to publish tenders, advertisements and notices in Marathi. It further states that the 2022 law provides for Marathi language officers in offices, public disclosure of information and responsibility for implementation being assigned to department heads.
The MNS has argued that the issue is not limited to linguistic representation but concerns compliance with rules governing publicly funded municipal administration. Since civic bodies operate through taxes and public funds, the organisation has questioned whether tender information should be issued in a form that enables local stakeholders to understand the terms and participate in procurement processes.
The demands include making Marathi versions compulsory for all Pune Municipal Corporation tender advertisements, publishing the complete text of newspaper notices in Marathi and providing tender information in Marathi on the e-tendering portal. The organisation has also sought a written explanation from the department head and responsible officials who authorised the English-language advertisement, along with appropriate action if violations are established.
The MNS has further demanded that the tender deadline be extended until a Marathi version is made available, so that prospective bidders receive adequate time to examine the notice and prepare their submissions. It has warned that a broader agitation could be launched if the administration does not respond.
The report does not state whether the Pune Municipal Corporation has issued a formal response, withdrawn the advertisement or extended the tender deadline. The next steps will depend on the civic administration’s clarification and on whether it publishes a Marathi version or introduces a common language policy for future tenders.
