Latest news with #ChandrakantPulkundwar
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Too many cooks spoil the broth?
1 2 Nagpur: Three Special Investigation Teams (SITs) have been set up in a three-month span to probe the Shalarth ID and education scam — a massive fraud involving fraudulent teacher appointments and salary disbursements worth crores — with the latest one by the education department with Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar at the helm. While the move signals intent to address the scandal, experts warn the formation of multiple SITs could lead to overlapping commands, confusion, and inefficiencies, potentially undermining the investigation's effectiveness. "Too many cooks spoil the broth," said an official privy to the probe. Shalarth ID drafts or unique web-based teacher identification number of 4,000 teachers were earlier collated by cyber cell personnel, which included hundreds of fake ones generated by hacking computer systems at the office of deputy director of education. The third SIT was formed after one of the two cases registered by Nagpur police were already chargesheeted. Around 29 accused have walked out on bail and only five remain in prison from two cases with Nagpur Police. Several others are out on anticipatory bail. The timing of the third SIT is questionable, said legal experts. The first SIT, formed by Nagpur CP Ravinder Singal in May this year, focused on the two Nagpur-specific cases registered at Sadar and Cyber police station. The second, formed by the Maharashtra govt, has a broader statewide mandate but also covers Nagpur. The third SIT, chaired by Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, oversees Nagpur and other districts and has the mandate to formulate recommendations and plug the recruitment and salary disbursal systems around which the scam revolves. This overlap in jurisdiction, particularly in Nagpur, raises concerns about duplication of efforts, with teams potentially re-interviewing witnesses or re-examining evidence, wasting critical time and resources. The lack of a clear hierarchy among the SITs is a big issue. With different officials reporting to different authorities, decision-making could become inconsistent, and supervisory ambiguity may allow chaos to go unchecked. Each SIT brings specialized expertise, with officers from police and administrative backgrounds. To avoid chaos, experts recommend a unified command structure, with one SIT coordinating the others. "A centralized database for evidence and regular coordination meetings are critical to align strategies," said an official. For instance, it remains unclear whether Pulkundwar's team, led by a senior official, supersedes the others or operates in parallel, creating risks of conflicting strategies or missed leads. Coordination challenges are another concern. Without a centralized system for sharing evidence and updates, the SITs risk working in silos, leading to chaos in evidence collection and case management. The scam's scale — thousands of fraudulent appointments across districts — demands seamless collaboration, which could be hampered by unclear divisions of responsibility. However, the govt's intent to tackle the scam comprehensively is evident, said a senior cop. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
State appoints IAS-headed SIT to probe teacher recruitment scam
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Thursday formed a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the alleged teacher recruitment fraud in all aided and partially aided schools across the state. The SIT has also been asked to find out the discrepancies in the existing procedure of approving teaching and non-teaching staff. (HT Photo for representation) Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar will head the three-member team. Manoj Sharma, inspector general of police (law and order), and Harun Attar, joint director of the education directorate, are the other members. The SIT has been tasked with investigating all teacher recruitments conducted since 2012, according to a government resolution (GR) issued by the state school education department on Thursday. The team has been asked to submit its report in the next three months, stated the order signed by the department's principal secretary, Ranjit Singh Deol. The recruitment fraud, also known as the Shalarth ID scam, first surfaced in Nagpur, where 580 fake teachers and non-teaching staff were found to have been recruited in 12 government-aided schools by allegedly using fake signatures and documents. Senior school education department officials are allegedly involved in the fraud. After the Nagpur fraud came to light, similar complaints were filed in other parts of the state as well. Shalarth is a centralised portal of the state government to manage payroll and service records of staff in government and government-aided schools, including teachers. Shalarth ID refers to the teacher identification number allotted to such staffers. Investigators found that fake identities were used to disburse salaries through the Shalarth portal. The matter was discussed in the state assembly during the monsoon session of the state legislature, with state school education minister Dada Bhuse assuring that an investigation would be launched. According to the terms of reference mentioned in the GR, the SIT will examine the transfers of teachers and non-teaching staff 'from non-grant-in-aid positions to grant-in-aid positions in all the aided and partially aided primary or secondary or higher secondary schools across all the divisional offices in the state.' The SIT has also been asked to find out the discrepancies in the existing procedure of approving teaching and non-teaching staff, and suggest reforms. 'The special investigation team should investigate all the above-mentioned issues for the period from 2012 to the present and submit its report to the government within three months,' the GR added. Govt officers announce strike Meanwhile, more than 400 senior officers from the state's school education department have launched an indefinite strike starting Friday, alleging harassment and unfair treatment by investigative agencies over issues related to Shalarth IDs and other school recognition matters. Members of the All Maharashtra Education Service Gazetted Officers Association claimed they were being unfairly targeted and that action was being taken against them in matters unrelated to their responsibilities. In some cases, they said that arrests and disciplinary actions were carried out without any prior inquiry or show-cause notice. According to the government officers, three deputy directors and two education officers were arrested without proper procedures and later suspended, even though they were cooperating with the investigation. No criminal charges have been proven, yet suspensions have been imposed, leading to a serious drop in morale across the department, they said. 'This kind of treatment of honest officers is demoralising and is affecting day-to-day functioning. The government has a duty to protect its honest staff. Arrests without inquiry and illegal suspensions must stop,' the association said in a statement.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PMRDA to work as single-point coordinator for citizens' complaints in Hinjewadi IT Park area
1 2 Pune: Divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar has asked PMRDA to act as the single-point coordinator for citizens to raise infrastructure-related concerns around the Hinjewadi IT Park area. The development took place during a review meeting held on Thursday to assess ongoing works in the zone. The decision comes in response to repeated complaints from IT professionals and residents, who said they were often unsure which govt body to approach due to overlapping jurisdictions of multiple agencies in Hinjewadi. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune So, it was decided that Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) would facilitate coordination among all departments concerned, ensuring that citizens no longer have to run from one office to another to identify the responsible authority for specific works in their area. Pavanjit Mane from the Forum for IT Employees (FITE), who was present at the meeting, welcomed the move. He said, "Until now, there was no centralised platform for IT employees to raise concerns due to the involvement of multiple agencies. With this change, we can now approach a single authority, which can then coordinate internally to get things done." Sachin Londhe from the Wakad Pimpri Chinchwad Residents Development and Welfare Association, who initiated the 'UNCLOG Hinjewadi' online petition, said, "We now expect PMRDA to take serious note of citizens' concerns, which it has missed in the past." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Are Unstoppable: The Most Beautiful and Talented Female Athletes Undo Londhe, who also attended the meeting, pointed out that although some decisions are finally being implemented, the area has faced years of neglect. "Authorities should consider taking disciplinary action against officers who failed to act in time, leading to the current situation," he said. Dnyanendra Hulsure, president of the Hinjewadi Employees and Residents Trust (HEART), supported the appointment of PMRDA as the nodal body. "It makes sense to assign this role to an agency already working in the region, as they are more familiar with on-ground realities. Bringing in someone new would delay action due to a lack of context," he said. IT professionals, however, remain cautious. While they acknowledged that officials are starting to act, they stressed that little has changed on the ground. "Traffic congestion remains a daily struggle. Years of negligence by previous officials created a huge backlog. It will take time to bring some visible change on the ground," an IT employee told TOI.
Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
SC Justice Surya Kant inaugurates legal aid centre for armed forces families
Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant virtually inaugurated a specialised legal aid centre for armed forces personnel and their families on Monday, emphasising that those who fight for the country deserve 'justice and honour' while their families merit 'justice with dignity.' The program was organised by the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Srinagar. Under the NALSA Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, the inauguration of a dedicated legal aid centre for armed forces took place at the Sainik Welfare Department in Ghorpadi, coinciding with Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations. The initiative was a collaborative effort between the National Legal Services Authority, Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority, District Legal Services Authority, Pune and the Maharashtra State Soldier Welfare Department. Speaking at the event, Pune Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar said, 'The Legal Aid Centre is a step to honour soldiers and their families. It is an excellent example of administration, judiciary and social commitment working together.' He emphasised that providing timely and free legal aid with dignity is essential for military personnel and their dependents. Justice Mahendra K. Mahajan, principal district and sessions judge, Pune, said that around 50 percent of citizens are unaware of available legal aid schemes and government benefits. 'This especially includes the families of military officers and employees,' he said. 'Our soldiers do not retreat under any circumstances; they always stand to protect the country. Protecting them and their families is the true form of justice.' Secretary of Pune District Legal Services Authority Sonal Patil said, 'A soldier fights on the battlefield, but after him, his family's fight for justice begins. It is our duty to stand by them in that fight.' The centre will provide legal services, including advice on criminal, civil, service, and pension matters, assistance with accident and insurance compensation cases, guidance on property disputes, information about government schemes, free legal representation, and counselling services.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Time of India
PMRDA removes 166 encroachments in Hinjewadi; fortnightly reviews to monitor progress
1 2 Pune: PMRDA has so far cleared 166 illegal constructions and encroachments over the past 15 days in Hinjewadi-Maan-Marunji corridor to ease traffic congestion in the area, officials said. The crackdown follows mounting complaints about unauthorized structures choking arterial roads and blocking natural drainage channels, worsening traffic flow and increasing risk of flooding. Key areas targeted include Laxmi Chowk, Wipro Circle, Maan Road, and Marunji, where many illegal structures were removed. In several cases, encroachers voluntarily dismantled their constructions after being served notices, officials said. Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) also launched surveys in Shivaji Chowk, Crematorium Road, Wakad Road, Phase 1 Road, and other parts of Hinjewadi, Maan, and Marunji. Officials said further action would be taken once these surveys were completed and fresh notices served on encroachers. PMRDA has urged residents and businesses to cooperate as part of its initiative to decongest traffic and reclaim public spaces. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Storage running out on your Mac? Space Lens will show you why MacPaw Read More Undo You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Meanwhile, following directives from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, a structured monitoring mechanism has been put in place with Pune divisional commissioner as the single point authority to hold fortnightly review meetings. Divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar met citizen groups on Tuesday as part of the fortnightly review and warned that delays, especially in road works, could even attract action under the Disaster Management Act. He said to ensure real-time coordination and grievance redressal, a dedicated WhatsApp group with civic officials and citizen representatives would be created, allowing residents to flag issues directly and seeking prompt resolution. After facing criticism for the past couple of months over bad roads and waterlogging in Hinjewadi area due to Metro work, PMRDA has also planned to upgrade the existing road along Metro line 3—from Maan (depot) in Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar—to a durable cement-concrete road, accompanied by improved road-related infrastructure and public amenities. PMRDA also conducted the second successful trial run of Metro Line 3, connecting Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar. The trial was conducted at a speed of approximately 40 kmph between Mann Depot and Hinjewadi Phase 2.
