India, April 20 -- Following allegations of fraud in asphalt purchases through a contractor, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) decided to purchase the material directly from the manufacturer companies. Municipal commissioner Rajendra Bhosale directed the road department to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Former standing committee chairman Nilesh Nikam has highlighted the misconduct involved in PMC's asphalt procurement.

Nikam said, "Previously, PMC purchased asphalt directly from the companies. PMC requires almost 3000 tonnes of asphalt every year. However, during the tenure of municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar, the PMC began the process of procuring it through a contractor."

Commenting on the development, municipal commis...