Pune News : Housing society federation opposes appointment of private consultant for STPs ; warns of protest

The Chikhali-Moshi-Pimpri-Chinchwad Housing Society Federation has opposed the policy of appointing private consultants to check the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in Pimpri Chinchwad societies.

Sanjeevan Sangale, President, Chikhali-Moshi-Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Society Federation said, “Commissioner and Administrator of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Shekhar Singh is very kind to the private consultants. Commissioner should stop wasting property tax money of citizens by appointing private consultants even on simple and minor matters. Are sewage treatment plants running in cooperative housing societies in the city? We strongly oppose hiring a private consultant for this. If such a consultant gets appointed, there will be a very large scale protest involving all society residents.”

As per further information shared by Sangale, a statement has been given to Municipal Commissioner and Administration Shekhar Singh in this regard. It said that the administration has made it mandatory for housing societies in Pimpri Chinchwad to run sewage treatment plants (STPs). However, in some societies it has been observed that the STPs are not functioning. 

In terms of environmental conservation, water saving and public health, the said STP project must be operational permanently. However, the administration has initiated the process of appointing a private consultant for the implementation and monitoring of the STP project. The citizens are against the appointment of a private consultant for this work and demand that this should be stopped immediately.

Municipal Corporation implements various works and development projects from the property tax money of Pimpri-Chinchwadkars. Appointing a consultant for an important project should be welcomed. However, if the PCMC is spending citizens’ money extravagantly on appointing private consultants for this work, then the transparency of the municipal administration comes into question.

Also, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation had inspected the sewage treatment plants of 331 big institutions in the city through a private organization. Projects are underway in 284 institutions out of them. STP was closed in 47 institutions. The PCMC has issued a notice to them. In this situation, what other action is the administration going to take regarding STP by appointing a private consultant again? Such a question has been raised.

The Housing Society Federation has warned that if appointing of a private consultant is not stopped, a massive protest will be carried out in Pimpri Chinchwad.

Shreyas Vange