Pune Municipal Corporation Fails to Utilise ₹7.5 Crore COVID-19 Fund
In a move that has sparked outrage among citizens and activists, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is facing strong criticism for its failure to utilise ₹7.5 crore raised under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds, which were donated by multiple corporations to bolster healthcare facilities in PMC-run hospitals, remain unspent despite the unprecedented strain on the healthcare system during the pandemic. The PMC’s inaction has raised questions about its accountability and management of public resources, especially those intended for public welfare.
Activists, including prominent figures like Vivek Velankar, have voiced their concerns, pointing out the stark contrast between the donations made during the pandemic and the lack of follow-through in their usage. “Despite the hardships faced by citizens during the pandemic, the PMC failed to utilise the donated funds. This negligence raises serious concerns about the administration’s accountability. The civic body is taking people’s generosity for granted,” Velankar remarked, underlining the discontent of the public, who had hoped for immediate improvements to healthcare services that were stretched thin during the crisis.
The timeline of these donations paints a concerning picture of inefficiency. The appeal made by the PMC in March 2020, urging both citizens and corporations to contribute towards the pandemic response, led to contributions of ₹4.89 crore in 2020-21 and ₹3.10 crore in 2021-22. However, the funds from the first year were never spent, while only ₹1.30 crore from the 2021-22 donations were used to purchase hospital beds and oxygen supplies. As of the latest report, ₹7.43 crore remains sitting idle in the COVID-19 CSR account, despite earning ₹70 lakh in interest over the past 18 months.
This situation has sparked a wave of public frustration, particularly after information regarding the unspent funds came to light through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by Velankar in July 2023. The failure of the PMC to act on these resources, especially with ongoing healthcare challenges in the city, reflects poorly on the municipal corporation’s ability to manage funds meant for urgent, life-saving infrastructure. Velankar has further called for the ₹7.43 crore to be allocated to improve medical facilities in PMC-run hospitals and clinics, particularly for the underprivileged sections of Pune’s population, who are in dire need of better healthcare services.
From a sustainability perspective, this issue represents a failure not just in governance, but also in the responsible allocation of funds that could have enhanced public health infrastructure. During a global health crisis, when every rupee counts in saving lives, such administrative negligence has wider implications. Unused CSR funds in this context could have been redirected to not only provide immediate relief during the COVID-19 crisis but also to strengthen the city’s healthcare infrastructure for long-term sustainability. For Pune, a growing urban hub, leveraging available resources for sustainable healthcare is more crucial than ever. Improving civic health infrastructure is not only a moral responsibility but also a key factor in creating a resilient, sustainable urban environment.
As PMC continues to face criticism, it remains to be seen whether they will take decisive action to allocate the unused funds for the betterment of public healthcare or allow this lapse to remain another example of missed opportunities in urban governance.
