Pune Assembly Addresses Inadequate Cleaning Staff Amid Concerns

The ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly revealed significant concerns regarding the cleaning staff in Pune. Bapu Pathare, the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Wadgaon Sheri, highlighted that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is struggling to maintain cleanliness due to a shortage of adequate sweeping personnel. Approximately 8,000 workers are designated for cleaning tasks, yet a staggering 25% of them are frequently absent, hampering the city’s cleanliness efforts.

In response, Madhuri Misal, the Minister of State for Urban Development, acknowledged the issue and committed to obtaining further details about the staffing situation. The discrepancy between the number of workers in Pune compared to other municipal corporations has raised eyebrows. Pathare pointed out that while the geographic area managed by PMC is larger than that of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), it employs significantly fewer staff for road sweeping and related activities, with BMC’s numbers exceeding 28,000.

The assembly session also addressed concerns regarding the tendering process for sweeping work. In a separate query raised by Bhimrao Tapkir, MLA for Khadakwasla, Misal disclosed that the entire tendering process had been canceled due to findings that costs were inflated by approximately 7%. She emphasized that PMC was instructed to investigate these discrepancies and take necessary actions to rectify the situation.

Illegal Dumping of Construction Waste

The session did not solely focus on staffing issues; it also tackled environmental concerns. Siddharth Shirole, MLA for Shivajinagar, called for immediate action against the illegal dumping of construction debris on tekdis, or hillocks, throughout Pune. He asserted that this practice poses a significant threat to the environment and public health.

In response to Shirole’s request, Ganesh Naik, the State Forest Minister, pledged to enhance monitoring efforts in collaboration with the forest department, police, and revenue department. He announced plans to install CCTV cameras in areas prone to illegal dumping to deter such activities and hold perpetrators accountable.

These discussions during the assembly highlight not only the challenges of maintaining cleanliness in Pune but also the city’s commitment to addressing environmental concerns. As authorities work to rectify these issues, residents hope for improved conditions and a cleaner urban environment.