PMC faces fresh criticism for date goof-up in advert

Just days after drawing flak for dysfunctional online complaint system, civic body puts ad in English daily on July 5 seeking suggestions on DP by July 2

Close on the heels of recent criticism over its error-filled online complaint registration system, the Pune Municipal Corporation finds itself once again in the eye of a goof-up storm. The civic body had published the wrong dates in an advertisement released on July 5 inviting suggestion from residents on the revised city Development Plan 2041 under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Ad date boob: The advertisement that appeared onu00a0July 5 says responses should be submitted by July 2 (underlined) and mentions the advertisement date as July 3 (circled)

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Major General (Retd) S C N Jatar of Nagarik Chetana Manch noticed the error and sent an email to Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak informing him about the matter. So far, Jatar has not received any reply from the commissioner or any other concerned official.

The advertisement published on July 5 in an English daily mentions the last date for submitting suggestions as July 2, while the same advertisement in a Marathi newspaper mentions the actual date, which is July 13. Also, the date of publication mentioned in the content of the advertisement is July 3.
“How can those who can’t even publish error-free advertisement be expected to make good developmental plans for the city?” Jatar questioned. He alleged that it was a deliberate mistake as the civic body did not want citizens to send in suggestions and the advertisement was a farce.

Deputy Commissioner (Special) Pravin Ashtikar said that it was merely a printing mistake and should not be made into an unnecessary issue. “The last date for submission of suggestions is July 13. I have already given an order for the mistake to be rectified and the advertisement would be published again with the accurate date for submission,” said Ashtikar. u00a0u00a0

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