Core posts vacant in PMPML for 3 yrs

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) appears to be working without proper planning and direction as its three core managerial posts, in human resources (HR), finance and traffic management, have been vacant for the past three years.

Passengers using PMPML services have been criticising the body for limited number of buses and staff, and claim it has bad infrastructure and poor route management. These issues are the side effects of the core problem, which is the absence of proper direction.

Who's in the driver's seat? PMPML buses at the Swargate depot. Commuters have been criticising the body for the limited number of buses and staff, and claim it has bad infrastructure and poor route management. File pic

"Proper planning and target is essential to run any organisation. The HR, finance and traffic management departments are the backbone of PMPML, which is currently working without leadership. We are demanding that capable, experienced and apolitical candidates be appointed to these three vacant posts. In order to do this, PMC and the board of directors (BOD) of PMPML should appoint the candidates and send that proposal to the government for approval," Jugal Rathi, president, PMP Pravasi Manch, said.

PMPML came into being on October 19, 2007, with the merger of two transport undertakings, the PMT and the PCMT. After the merger, a body of board of directors was established in the organisation, which includes seven directors namely the Mayors of PMC and PCMC, chairmen of both standing committees, commissioners of both municipal corporations and one corporator of the ruling party.

This BOD has the right to send proposal for the managerial posts of the PMP.

"We will raise this issue in PMC and a decision will be taken after discussing with other members. Strengthening public transport of the city is our topmost priority," city Mayor Vaishali Bankar said.

Vivek Velankar, founder of Sajag Nagarik Manch, said that after the merger, NCP recommended candidates from their party for the three posts. But commuter's organisations opposed the recommendation and demanded apolitical persons, who have vast experience of transport, for these posts.

"Both the ruling parties are responsible for the poor condition of PMP, as in the past four years, those in the position of chairman and managing director has been changed eight times without giving any reasons. The top management of PMP continues to be unstable and directionless," Velankar said. u00a0