People’s Commission begins hearing complaints in Pune

The People’s Commission, comprising former Supreme Court judge, PB Sawant, began hearing complaints filed by citizens on Wednesday. The commission was formed as a citizens’ initiative last year to investigate cases of illegal constructions, encroachments and slow implementation of the development plan (DP) of 1987.

The hearings are being conducted at the Aundh residence of Right To Information (RTI) activist, Vijay Kumbhar, and will be held for the next two days. Around 15 cases have been listed for hearing during this period.

It may be recalled that Pune municipal commissioner, Mahesh Zagade, had proposed an official probe by a retired judge of the high court, which was rejected by the corporators. This led to civic activists, Vijay Kumbhar and Major General (retd) SCN Jatar to announce the formation of the People’s Commission under Sawant.

Kamlakar Bhosale, a resident of Wadgaon, was the first person to be heard. The hearing was held for more than an hour. Interestingly, there was no civic official present for the hearing.

Sources said the civic chief has promised to send an official to attend the hearings for the next two days.

Kumbhar said the next schedule of the hearings will be chalked out depending on Sawant’s schedule in the following months.