Nearly a month after the municipal commissioner appointed a committee to look into allegations of corruption made by RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar against Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, the inquiry report has been submitted to the civic administration. It gives a clean chit to the Mayor.

The case

The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) approved Rs 30 lakh as co-sponsorship for Baisakhi festival celebrations held last month. The Mayor even withdrew Rs 15 lakh in cash for this from the PMC's account.

Mayor Rajpal

After Kumbhar's allegations, an inquiry was ordered; MiD DAY brings you the points made in the report and why Kumbhar and other activists are not satisfied.

Rs 30 L donation

Inquiry report says: The PMC's budget document had made a provision of Rs 30 lakh for the Baisakhi festival in accordance with Sections 63 and 66 of the BPMC Act; the donation was legal.

Activists say: The inquiry committee report mentions the deputy commissioner had said it was illegal for a corporation to allow a donation of over Rs 3 lakh without state government approval.

Cash withdrawal

Report: The committee hasu00a0 merely commented that no records were available with the chief auditor's office about why Rs 15 lakh were withdrawn in cash.

Activists: Under the BPMC Act 1947, Section 84 (2), more than Rs 100 in cash cannot be withdrawn from PMC coffers.

What was PMC role?

Report: At one place, the committee said the PMC organised the event. Elsewhere, it said the PMC co-sponsored it.

Activists: There is no provision for co-sponsorship in the BPMC Act and what the PMC has done is completely illegal.
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They are now trying to cover it up by saying PMC had organised the event, but all banners of the event mention it as the co-sponsor.

The Other Side

Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Zagade did not respond despite repeated calls. Deputy Commissioner KC Karkar said he was yet to read the report. Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal said he was happy about the clean chit. "I know people will still make a noise, but they have some personal agenda against me," he said. How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story MiD DAY Test Drive: Week 4, Day 1› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT