Policy proposed on naming civic properties in PMC limits

Pune: The PMC is planning a policy to name public places under its limits after facing criticism that the names of political leaders and their relatives are willy-nilly being given to civic properties.

A proposal regarding the same was tabled before the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) general body (GB) on Monday. This proposed policy has stressed that only the names of prominent national personalities should be given to civic-owned facilities. The condition for such naming is that a consensus is mandatory from the majority of corporators in the ward concerned.

A senior civic official chose anonymity and told TOI, “The final call on the proposal has not yet been taken in the GB. It was adjourned due to the code of conduct being enforced for the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections scheduled in June.”

Citizens pointed out that agitations were held in the city in 2024 after the name of a political leader’s relative was given to a public garden in the Salisbury Park area. The civic administration was then forced to change the name after receiving residents’ objections.

Vivek Velankar of citizens’ group Sajag Nagrik Manch said, “Many elected members have been giving names of their relatives to public properties. In many cases, it was found that the person, whose name was given to the public place, has hardly any contribution to that project or work.”

He added, “If the new policy is even approved, PMC will have to ensure that it is implemented on the ground.”

The policy states that in a four-member ward system, signatures of all four elected local members of the respective ward are required as proposers and seconders for such naming. If there is no consensus, signatures of at least three elected members should be accepted.

In a five-member ward, priority should be given to the signatures of all five members; however, if there is no consensus, the signatures of at least four elected members should be accepted, the policy outlines.

If a flyover or subway is on the boundary of two wards, the signatures of all eight members from both wards (by consensus) or at least six members (in case of no consensus) are necessary. If it is on the boundary of three wards, priority will be given to the signatures of all 12 elected members. If there is no consensus, signatures of at least nine local elected members will be required.