Pune civic body’s school in Aundh becomes hub for drinking, liquor bottles found

The discovery of liquor bottles and evidence of nightly drinking within the premises of a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) school in Aundh, specifically at the Golwalkar Guruji 54B Marathi medium school, reveals a significant breakdown in local governance and community safety. The issue is compounded by the fact that the same compound houses an anganwadi, an early childhood care center, placing vulnerable children in proximity to illicit activities. This situation not only compromises the learning environment but also raises questions about the security of public spaces intended for community welfare.

Golwalkar Guruji 54B

The Golwalkar Guruji 54B Marathi medium school, managed by the Pune Municipal Corporation, is at the heart of this controversy. Beyond the immediate concern of liquor consumption, the school building itself reportedly suffers from long-standing maintenance issues, including a leaking tin sheet roof and a faulty water tank. These structural problems, while significant, are overshadowed by the more alarming issue of the premises being used for illegal activities. The presence of a recreation center for the Aundh Senior Citizens’ Association within the school compound, which is where the drinking primarily occurs, points to a problematic co-location of facilities without adequate security measures.

Teachers and workers at the anganwadi have voiced their frustration, stating they are forced to clean up the discarded bottles and mess left by miscreants daily. This burden on staff, who are meant to focus on education and childcare, underscores the severity of the security breach. The fact that locks installed by local corporator Bhakti Gaikwad were repeatedly broken suggests a persistent and determined effort by individuals to misuse the premises, highlighting the challenges in maintaining order and safety in public institutions.

Aundh Senior Citizens’ Association

The building identified as the recreation center for the Aundh Senior Citizens’ Association is central to the problem. While intended for cultural events and physiotherapy sessions for seniors, its ground floor, which also contains a derelict gym, has become the primary site for the illicit drinking. This dual-purpose use of the building, especially its proximity to an anganwadi, creates a direct conflict with the safe and constructive environment expected within a school compound. The lack of access to basic facilities like washrooms for anganwadi teachers, due to upper floors being locked, further illustrates the dysfunctional management of the shared space.

The PMC corporator for Aundh-Bopodi, Bhakti Gaikwad, acknowledged awareness of the issue and confirmed that the recreation center building is owned by the PMC. Her attempts to secure the premises with new locks were thwarted by vandals, indicating a need for more robust security solutions and consistent enforcement. The incident raises broader questions about the planning and oversight of multi-use public facilities, particularly when they involve educational institutions and vulnerable populations. It suggests a need for clearer guidelines and stricter monitoring to prevent such misuse.

Naval Kishore Ram

PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has responded to the revelations with serious concern, stating that the issue was not previously brought to his notice. He emphasized that no facility within a school campus should exist if it is not for the constructive purpose of students, and certainly not for alcohol consumption. Ram has pledged to conduct an immediate inquiry and dispatch a team to investigate the matter personally. His statement, "I think it is not consistent with the rules. There must be something wrong in it. I’ll actually see to it personally," indicates a recognition of potential regulatory breaches and a commitment to address the problem at a high level.

This direct intervention from the PMC Commissioner offers a glimmer of hope for a resolution. An inquiry could lead to a comprehensive review of security protocols, facility management, and the legal standing of co-locating a recreation center with a school and anganwadi. It also highlights the importance of media scrutiny, as the issue only gained high-level attention after The Indian Express reported on it. The outcome of Ram's inquiry will be crucial in determining whether effective measures are implemented to safeguard public educational spaces and ensure they serve their intended community purpose without compromise.