Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) law committee has cleared a proposal seeking full authority to determine the terms and conditions for all civic tenders. The move has sparked criticism from civic activists and across political circles, who view it as an attempt to centralise power.The proposal, approved on April 4, was initiated by private members, including BJP corporators Navnath Jagtap and Kushagra Kadam. It is now scheduled to be tabled before the general body (GB) on April 20 for final approval.Under the existing framework, individual civic departments frame their own tender conditions. The law department is only consulted when legal concerns arise before the tendering process begins. However, the new proposal mandates that all such files be routed through the law committee. This would empower the committee to authorise and modify tender conditions across every department.Critics warned that the move will create a bureaucratic bottleneck and delay vital infrastructure projects. While the Standing Committee—which currently clears tenders—meets weekly, the law committee meets only once every fortnight.Prominent activist Vijay Kumbhar questioned the legal standing of the proposal. “Even if the general body approves this, it may not be legally tenable. Since it was moved by a private member, the GB has the right to reject it,” Kumbhar said. He added that only cases flagged by the vigilance department or those requiring specific legal opinions should involve the law committee.Opposition leader Bhausaheb Bhoir has called for the law department to provide a detailed explanation of the proposal’s implications. “As this is a private member’s proposal, the law department must examine and clarify its legality and necessity,” Bhoir stated, noting that the motives behind such a sweeping change remain unclear.While some observers question the political intent behind the move, others emphasised the practical risks, warning that the added layer of approval will inevitably slow down the execution of essential civic projects.
