Pune Municipal Engineers Protest Against MLA Ravindra Dhangekar For Abusing Officer, Want PMC Lodge Police Complaint

Tikam Shekhawat

Shivajinagar, 29th January 2024: The Union of Municipal Engineers staged a protest against Congress MLA Ravindra Dhangekar, citing abusive behaviour towards Nandkishore Jagtap, Chief Engineer of the Municipal Water Supply Department. The incident took place during the inauguration of a water tank at Ashanagar, Gokhalenagar, on January 26 where non-technical aspects of municipal development works were being highlighted.

Expressing their discontent, the engineers announced their decision to refrain from participating in such inaugural programs in the future. In response to the incident, the union urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to establish a dedicated cell through its legal department to address such matters and to file a formal complaint with the police to prevent similar incidents.

A protest meeting was held on the lawn in front of the main building of the PMC main building today, attended by prominent officers including Prashant Waghmare, Secretary Sunil Kadam, Secretary Sanjay Pol, Treasurer Kedar Sathe, Vice President Mukund Barve, and various department heads such as Anirudh Pavaskar, Srinivas Kandul, Srinivas Bonala, and Madhav Jagtap. Nandkishore Jagtap was also present during the demonstration.

The engineers submitted a formal letter of their demands to the Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar, emphasizing that the responsibility of inauguration programs should be entrusted to the Municipal Secretary’s department, not the head of the department. The engineers highlighted the increasing instances of political activists, office bearers, and others resorting to threats, abuse, and physical altercations with municipal officials.

The engineers’ protest sheds light on the challenges faced by municipal officials in carrying out their duties and emphasizes the need for systemic measures to ensure their safety and well-being.