Expensive roof covers for toilets: Court dismisses engineer's plaint against PMC

Even as Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) complains about fund crunch to carry out civic works, an engineer has moved Pune district Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum alleging that PMC is not using taxpayers’ money appropriately.

The engineer cited that PMC is wasting money by installing expensive roof covers for public toilets in the city.

However, the forum president VP Utpat and member SK Pacharne has dismissed his plaint claiming that he is not a consumer and can move the civil court for justice.

Engineer Shailendra Dilip Raste (41) of Sadashiv Peth had moved his plaint before the forum against PMC commissioner Mahesh Pathak on September 23. Speaking to dna, Raste said, “Earlier this year, I noticed PMC workers fixing ACP sheets over finished surface of public toilets.There is no logic behind this. In western countries, where the temperature is less than zero degree centigrade, such artificial roof is necessary to maintain the temperature.
“I pay Rs40,000 as tax and I feel this money is being misutilised.”

Raste said that he had met PMC officials, who had revealed that before starting the project, they had not prepared a feasibility report to access it’s advantages and disadvantages and it’s financial viability. 

Moreover, PMC officials failed to provide any valid reason for carrying out this work so urgently all over the city. They are also spending money on ambitious project without making any financial provision during the yearly budget or taking GB’s approval.  “They are spending money by misusing the ‘designated powers’ of commissioner. I will continue my fight against them,” Raste said.