The Pune Municipal Corporation has banned the bringing, accepting and distributing of Diwali gifts inside its office premises, but a reported incident at the municipal headquarters has raised questions about enforcement of the order. The restriction covers gifts and cash allegedly offered to civic officials and employees by contractors, developers, architects, consultants, suppliers, citizens and organisations.
The circular was issued by city engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar after complaints from right-to-information activists about the practice of giving municipal personnel sweets, festive food, dry fruits, gift hampers, vouchers and cash during Diwali. The order states that accepting such gifts is inconsistent with the principles of impartiality, transparency, integrity and ethical conduct expected in public service.
Under the circular, department heads have been instructed to inform officers and employees under their jurisdiction and ensure strict implementation. The order also warns that disciplinary action may be taken for violations. The restriction applies not only to accepting gifts but also to bringing them into municipal office premises and distributing them there.
The reported restrictions come against the backdrop of the close relationship between the civic administration and private parties that depend on municipal approvals, contracts, supplies and project-related decisions. The source report said gifts were being offered by a range of stakeholders, including construction and development interests, as well as contractors and suppliers.
Following complaints, security guards at Pune Municipal Corporation headquarters were reportedly instructed to stop people carrying gifts from entering the building. However, Lokmat reported that at around 4 pm on Tuesday, the son of a corporator from the Sinhagad Road area and an associate allegedly entered the municipal building with gifts despite the security intervention and continued distributing them.
The reported incident has not been independently confirmed in the supplied material. The account is attributed to Lokmat’s report, while the official circular provides the documented basis for the restrictions. The order places responsibility on department heads to communicate the instructions and enforce them within their offices.
The civic administration’s next step, according to the circular, is strict implementation of the ban and disciplinary action against officers or employees who violate it.
