Multi-crore scam in advertising at PMPML bus stops and depots; MNS alleges

• Claims Corporation has suffered ₹26 Crore loss

• Corporation Chairperson orders enquiry

Pune – Hemant Sambhus, the State General Secretary of the MNS, has alleged that the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd. (PMPML) is incurring losses amounting to crores of rupees due to a single tender received for advertising rights at 865 stainless steel bus stops and 10 bus depots belonging to the corporation. He submitted a petition regarding the matter to Mr Mahesh Awhad, the Chairperson and Managing Director of PMPML, who later issued orders to conduct an enquiry into this case.

Typically, the PMPML requires at least three tenders for advertising contracts. However, in this instance, the tender was approved despite only a single bid being submitted by a contractor. While the corporation was expected to receive a fee of ₹12,000 per bus stop, the PMPML accepted merely ₹7,000 as rent. As a result, the corporation shall incur a monthly loss of ₹43.25 lakhs and a total loss of ₹25.95 crores over the five-year tenure of the contract. Thus, Hemant Sambhus has demanded the immediate cancellation of this contract.