Fake Notes, Crores in Payments and Unanswered Questions

May 20, 2026 Editor

PCMC inquiry report triggers fresh debate over accountability in Rs. 60.18 crore scam

Pimpri: The Rs. 60.18 crore fake billing scam in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has once again sparked serious political and administrative debate after an inquiry committee reportedly held only the then Chief Accounts and Finance Officer Pravin Jain responsible for the massive financial irregularity.

The alleged scam, involving bogus administrative notes and questionable bill approvals, was first brought to light by Standing Committee Chairman Abhishek Barne. Following the allegations, the civic administration constituted a special inquiry committee, which later confirmed large-scale irregularities in the processing and clearance of payments.

According to the inquiry findings, several payments were released without proper administrative sanction, while multiple internal approval notes were found to be bogus. Despite indications pointing towards the involvement of assistant municipal secretaries, contractors and other officials, political circles are now questioning whether influential individuals linked to the case are being protected.

The report further states that mandatory scrutiny and verification procedures were allegedly bypassed before releasing payments, raising larger questions over accountability within multiple civic departments.

“No Authority to Take Action” – Commissioner

PCMC Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi clarified that the inquiry committee had submitted its findings, but action against senior officials can only be initiated by the state government. “The inquiry committee has identified the responsible officials. Since the authority to act against them lies with the state government, we have forwarded the report accordingly,” Suryawanshi said.

Focus Shifts to State Government

The inquiry committee has reportedly recommended action against Chief Accounts and Finance Officer Pravin Jain, including his transfer. The report has now been submitted to the state Finance Department for further action.

Questions Still Remain

Even after the inquiry report, several key questions remain unanswered

If the approval notes were bogus, who sanctioned them?
Who executed the work?
Under whose authority were the payments cleared?
And who issued the final approvals?
Why has no action been taken against the corporators who signed the administrative notes?
Where exactly were these administrative notes prepared?
When will action be initiated against the corporators who signed the notes?

These unanswered questions have led to allegations that accountability is being fixed only on the finance officer while others linked to the process are being spared.

Officials, Contractors and Corporators Under Scanner?

Political discussions in Pimpri-Chinchwad are now centered around whether certain officials, contractors and corporators connected to the fake billing process are being deliberately shielded despite the inquiry findings.

Timeline: How the Rs. 60 Crore Scam Unfolded

April 8, 2026: Allegations emerge over fake bills worth Rs. 25 crore cleared through bogus approval notes.
April 9, 2026: The issue is placed before the Standing Committee.
April 11, 2026: Demand raised for action against Chief Accounts and Finance Officer Pravin Jain.
April 14, 2026: Allegations surface regarding involvement of corporators from ruling and opposition parties.
April 15, 2026: Internal inquiry report submitted to the Municipal Commissioner.
April 22, 2026: Preliminary report presented before the civic administration.
May 18, 2026: Final inquiry report on the Rs. 60 crore fake billing scam reaches the concluding stage.