PMPML Under Fire for Alleged Illegal Promotions During Code of Conduct in Pune
Swargate, 6th February 2026: Allegations have emerged that Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) granted promotions to selected employees in violation of rules, despite them not meeting the required educational and service qualifications. Adding to the seriousness of the issue, the promotion orders were reportedly issued on January 31, when the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Model Code of Conduct was in force.
Former Leader of Opposition in the Pune Municipal Corporation Ujjwal Keskar, along with Suhas Kulkarni and former corporator Prashant Badhe, submitted a representation to Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., demanding an inquiry into the matter and the immediate suspension of the promotions until the probe is completed. Shiv Sena city president Pramod Bhangire has also submitted a memorandum seeking strict action.
Keskar alleged that the PMPML chairman and managing director approved illegal promotions in an organisation that depends on financial support from the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations and the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). At present, PMPML owns 690 buses, of which around 200 are off the roads, while the remaining operate on city routes.
According to the complaint, 198 conductors and employees from other categories were promoted as clerks, 26 appointments were made to the post of stand manager, and eight cleaners were promoted to the post of senior foreman. It was also alleged that an employee from the conductor category was appointed as a computer programmer. The complainants have questioned the legality of issuing such orders during the code of conduct period.
Meanwhile, PMPML chairman and managing director Prithviraj B.P. has constituted a three-member committee to conduct an impartial inquiry into the alleged irregular promotions. The committee includes PMPML Joint Managing Director Alice Pore, Pune Municipal Corporation Deputy Commissioner (General Administration) Vijay Thorat, and Chief Internal Auditor Suresh Khedkar as the member secretary. The committee has been directed to submit its report within 15 days.
