Pune: 2025-26 PMC Budget Postponed, Set for March Presentation
Pune, 4th January 2025: The Standing Committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has granted permanent approval for the submission of the civic budget for the financial year 2025-26 beyond the traditional deadline of January 15. This move cements a practice introduced by former Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar, wherein budget presentations have been delayed due to administrative changes within the corporation.
As per the resolution of the PMC’s general body, the Municipal Commissioner is mandated to present the budget to the Standing Committee by January 15. However, since the term of the Municipal Council expired three years ago, all administrative responsibilities have been vested in the hands of the Municipal Commissioner. This shift has resulted in a deviation from the usual timeline, with budget presentations occurring after January 15 for the past two years.
In the absence of an elected municipal council, the budget process has been conducted at the discretion of the Municipal Commissioner. For the past two years, Commissioner Vikram Kumar opted to present the budget in March instead of adhering to the stipulated January deadline. This year, the trend will continue, as the current administration has cited “unavoidable reasons” for the delay.
In a formal request, the Municipal Commissioner Dr Rajendra Bhosale sought the Standing Committee’s approval to postpone the budget submission for 2025-26. The proposal was accepted, and the upcoming budget is now scheduled for presentation in the first week of March.
The delay has sparked discussions about the broader implications of extending the budget timeline and how it may impact the planning and execution of civic projects for the upcoming financial year.
