Pune: NCP and Congress Party have levelled allegations of corruption in the E-bus contract tender and blamed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for indulging in graft. 

NCP leader Chetan Tupe and Congress Party leader Arvind Shinde addressed a joint press conference on Friday. Shinde said, “Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Company Limited’s (PMPML) Managing Director Nayana Gunde was not in town. However, BJP sent contractor employee to take MD’s signature on the agreement in Rajasthan where she has gone for election duty. BJP party leader, PMPML officers, consultant and contractor have collusion with each other in the E-bus contract.”

NCP leader Tupe said, “Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) has changed terms and conditions of tender so that only one contractor can get contract of E-buses. Hence, we have decided to file complaints against CIRT officials to Central government.”
 
On Thursday, PMPML Board of Directors approved the tender for 25 E-buses. Mayor Mukta Tilak announced that these buses will be operated from January 26, 2019. As per Central Government guidelines, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had floated a tender for 25 AC e-buses. The PMC gave extensions three times to the tender. After that, only one company, Olectra Greetech came forward. 
 
According to the tender, the company will provide drivers and PMPML will provide conductors. Employees’ salaries, maintenance, charging station infrastructure will be provided by the company.