Pune: Why Are Former Corporators Eligible for PMC Medical Benefits? New Decision Sparks Debate

Pune, 3rd July 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Standing Committee has approved a proposal to extend the civic body’s contributory medical assistance scheme to the eligible family members of former and sitting corporators, former members of the Education Board, and former members of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML).

Earlier, the benefit was available only to the elected representative during his or her lifetime. While eligible family members of former corporators were already covered under the scheme, families of former Education Board members and former PMPML members were not. With the latest decision, eligible family members of these two categories have also been brought under the scheme and will continue to receive benefits even after the death of the concerned representative.

The proposal, submitted by the Municipal Secretary’s Office, was approved by the Standing Committee on Thursday. According to Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale, the move was necessitated by the rising cost of healthcare and aims to provide financial support for the treatment of serious illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, major surgeries, and other critical medical conditions.

The decision is expected to increase the financial burden on the civic body’s exchequer, as the number of beneficiaries under the scheme is set to expand considerably.
Questions Raised Over Absence of Income Criteria
The approval has also raised concerns over the absence of any income-based eligibility criteria.

The proposal states that several former public representatives and their families are facing financial hardship, making continued medical assistance necessary. However, election affidavits filed by many former corporators indicate that several have declared assets worth more than ₹10 crore, while others reported annual incomes exceeding ₹50 lakh.

Despite their financial standing, they and their eligible family members will continue to receive benefits under the scheme, as there is no income ceiling or asset-based eligibility criterion.

Officials have also received complaints alleging that, in some instances, medical expenses incurred by other relatives were reimbursed by submitting bills in the names of eligible family members. The scheme also does not prescribe any upper limit on reimbursements, raising concerns about its long-term financial implications for the civic body.

The decision has also drawn criticism because PMC’s Urban Poor Health Scheme imposes strict income limits and caps on financial assistance for economically weaker citizens. In contrast, no such restrictions apply to former elected representatives and their families, prompting questions about the equitable use of public funds and the growing burden on the municipal treasury.