Pimpri Chinchwad, 13th May 2026: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation is set to spend nearly Rs 75 lakh over two years to provide security guards to the standing committee chairman, leader of the house and leader of opposition, triggering criticism over alleged wasteful expenditure at a time when the civic body is facing severe financial stress.
According to a proposal placed before the standing committee on Wednesday, the civic body plans to appoint nine security guards through Maharashtra Ex-Servicemen Corporation Limited for the protection of the three office-bearers. Each guard will be paid Rs 34,650 per month, taking the total expenditure for two years to Rs 74.84 lakh.
This is reportedly the first time in the civic bodyтАЩs history that security personnel are being appointed for these three posts.
Currently, security guards are already deployed with Mayor Ravi Landge, Deputy Mayor Sharmila Babar, Municipal Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi and additional commissioners Kuldeep Jangam, Trupti Sandbhor and Vikrant Bagade.
Now, standing committee chairman Abhishek Barne, leader of the house Prashant Shitole and leader of opposition Bhausaheb Bhoir have also sought security arrangements, citing frequent interactions with citizens and organisations visiting the civic headquarters with grievances and demands.
According to the proposal, two guards in shifts will be assigned to each office-bearer and will accompany them during official duties.
A senior PCMC official said the corporationтАЩs own security staff strength had reduced due to retirements, following which even the deputy mayorтАЩs security was now being handled through MESCO. тАЬTwo security guards in shifts will be provided to each of the three office-bearers. They will remain with the officials during their duties,тАЭ he said.
The proposal, however, has drawn criticism from activists and citizens, who questioned the need for such expenditure when the civic body is already burdened with financial liabilities.
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