Missing files: PCMC officials start compliance

Question of Rs 527 cr: Even senior staff and retired officials sent into tizzy as auditors go the full hog.

PCMC, file missing, PCMC file, audit file missing, document missing, pune news, city news, locla news, maharashtra news, Indian Express

PCMC audit department says it is leaving no stone unturned to keep civic accounts in order.

What has not happened so far is finally happening at the audit department of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Officials from various departments who have not been complying with audit requirements because of missing documents including files, have started trooping into the audit department with the documents. They seem to have been moved into action by reports in the Pune Newsline that the audit department had been seeking the documents to explain civic spending of around Rs 527 crore. These documents had been “out of bounds” for the audit department for years.

Confirming that “compliance” was on, PCMC chief auditor Padmashree Taldekar on Saturday said, “I won’t be able to reveal the figure of the number of officials or the civic staff who have come to us to submit files and documents sought by us. Officials are now showing seriousness in complying with our requirements,” said Taldekar. Audit officials said there was a sense of urgency among officials in complying with the audit requirements.

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On April 29, Pune Newsline had reported that since 1982, documents related to Rs 527 crore of the civic spending have remained out of the reach of the audit department for years. The audit department had no clue whether the files existed, had disappeared from the PCMC office, were destroyed or were deliberately “hidden”.

They said the PCMC administration itself is showing all seriousness in ensuring that all the missing files are traced and handed over to the audit department.

“PCMC commissioner Rajeev Jadhav held a meeting with heads of the various departments and directed them to comply with the audit requirement on priority. This will certainly go a long way in helping us bring out the true picture of the PCMC functioning,” said Taldekar, a state government officer on deputation to PCMC.

Taldekar said that the audit department is now going all out to ensure that PCMC accounts are updated and are in order. “Unlike in the past when audit was delayed, we are taking up the audit of the previous financial year as soon it ended. This will help us in getting the required documents and files from officials on time.”

The audit department findings-Pune Newsline had reported that documents related to Rs 527 crore are missing-have apparently led to consternation among senior civic officials who had been working with PCMC for long, and even some of those who had retired.

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“Barring one, all the past city engineers were embroiled in controversies. Officials of the electrical department that was for years headed by an officer who was controversial and who was even raided by the the Income Tax department have been sent into a tizzy,” a senior official said. Besides, retired officials from the now-abolished-octroi department and the medical department who have retired are also reportedly nervous following the reports.

PCMC audit officials said that the civil works department, headed by the PCMC City Engineer, the electrical department and the water department are the three departments where the largest number of files were missing.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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