The Pune Municipal Corporation has banned its officers and employees from accepting Diwali gifts, including sweets, dry fruits, gift hampers, vouchers and cash, and has directed security personnel to stop people carrying such items from entering civic premises. The order took effect immediately across the PMC’s main building, departmental offices, ward offices, sub-offices and other premises under its control.
City engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar issued the circular, reminding civic staff of the rules governing the acceptance of gifts by public servants. The directive follows the circulation of videos on social media that appeared to show gifts being distributed to civic officials and employees, according to a report by Punekar News.
The circular states that contractors, developers, architects, consultants, suppliers, citizens and organisations often offer festive gifts to civic officials and employees during Diwali. It warns that accepting personal gifts could compromise the impartiality, transparency, integrity and ethical conduct expected of public servants.
The PMC has cited Rule 12 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979, along with other service and conduct rules applicable to the civic body. Under the directive, staff members have been instructed not to accept personal gifts from individuals or organisations, even when the items are presented as customary festive offerings.
The ban covers sweets and festive food items in addition to dry fruits, gift boxes, hampers, gift vouchers and cash. Security personnel have been instructed not to allow people carrying such packages into PMC office premises for distribution. The order applies during office hours and extends beyond the corporation’s main headquarters to its wider administrative network.
Department heads have been asked to communicate the directive to subordinate staff and ensure compliance. The circular states that employees found accepting gifts in violation of the instructions will face disciplinary action under the applicable service and conduct rules.
The order places responsibility on both civic departments and the security wing: departments must inform staff and enforce the conduct rules, while security personnel must prevent gifts from entering the premises. The PMC’s immediate next step is implementation of the circular across all offices and facilities under its control.
