Pune: PMC Orders Probe Into 19 Garden Department Tenders Over Eligibility Discrepancies

Pune, 12th September 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has ordered an inquiry into 19 tenders worth several crores floated by its Garden Department for fruit orchard maintenance and other works, after allegations of inconsistencies in the application of eligibility criteria.

The issue came to light after it was found that documents accepted as valid in one tender were rejected in another, despite the tenders involving similar works and nearly identical eligibility conditions. This has raised questions over whether the rules were selectively interpreted to favour or disqualify particular contractors.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Omprakash Diwte has sought a detailed report from the Garden Department on the tendering process. The administration will examine whether the scrutiny of contractors’ documents was carried out objectively and whether the eligibility conditions were applied uniformly across all 19 tenders.

Questions have also been raised over possible collusion among contractors, including whether inadequate documents were deliberately submitted as part of a possible ‘ring’ to influence the tender process.

The inquiry will also examine whether the tendering process complied with Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines, whether the eligibility conditions were consistent across the tenders and the reasons behind the decisions to declare contractors eligible or ineligible.

“An image has emerged where a contractor who was eligible in one tender was declared ineligible in another. A report in this regard has been sought. Further action will be taken after the report is received,” said Diwte.

Sources said that if irregularities are found in the tender process, the PMC may cancel the concerned tenders.