PMC Bans Diwali Gifts for Staff: No Sweets, Dry Fruits, Vouchers or Cash; Hampers to Be Stopped at Gates
PMC has barred its employees from accepting Diwali gifts, including sweets, dry fruits, vouchers and cash, and told security to stop gift boxes at office gates.
Photo: DesiBoy101 / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 5th November 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has barred its employees from accepting Diwali gifts of any kind, from sweets and dry fruits to vouchers and cash, with immediate effect.
The order came in a circular issued by City Engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar, as reported by Punekar News on 4 November. Security staff at PMC buildings have been told to stop visitors carrying gift boxes meant for distribution.
What the PMC circular bans
The circular covers every kind of festive gift. That includes sweets and festive snacks, dry fruits, gift hampers, vouchers and cash.
It also lists who employees cannot accept gifts from. The list names contractors, developers, architects, consultants, suppliers, citizens and organisations.
Which PMC offices are covered
The ban applies to the main civic building at Shivajinagar, departmental offices, ward offices, sub-offices and other PMC premises during office hours.
Heads of departments have been told to brief their staff about the order and make sure it is followed. Security guards at entry gates are responsible for stopping hampers before they reach desks.
Which rule PMC has cited
The circular cites Rule 12 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979, along with other service and conduct rules. Rule 12 deals with gifts that government employees may or may not accept.
Employees who break the order face disciplinary action under these rules. The circular, as reported, does not spell out a specific penalty.
Why PMC issued the order now
According to the report, the circular followed videos on social media that showed gifts being handed out to civic officials and staff ahead of Diwali.
Festival gifting from contractors and developers to civic offices has long drawn criticism, because the same officials clear their bills, permissions and building plans. A blanket ban removes any grey area for staff and visitors.
The order comes days before Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November, when festive gifting peaks. More civic news is on our Pune civic page.
What it means for citizens and contractors visiting PMC
If you are visiting a ward office or the main building with a box of sweets as a thank-you, expect it to be stopped at the gate. The rule applies to citizens too, not just contractors.
Firms that usually send hampers to departments should hold back this year. Anyone who wants to report a request for gifts or money by a civic employee can use PMC’s complaint channels, listed in our PMC complaint and helpline guide.
Gifts already received: no word yet
The circular, as reported, does not set an end date, so it may apply beyond the festive season. PMC has also not said how many employees or offices will be checked, or whether gifts already received must be returned.
We will update this story if PMC issues further instructions.
