CM inaugurates Baner project, but activists raise red flags over private operator, transparency and use of public funds

The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) first cancer hospital, developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, has run into controversy immediately after its inauguration, with social activists alleging serious irregularities in the project and raising questions over transparency.

The state-of-the-art hospital at Baner, developed jointly by the PMC and Apulki Healthcare Private Limited, was inaugurated on Sunday by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Civic officials have claimed that this is the country's first dedicated cancer hospital established under the PPP model. The project has been launched at a time when cases of cancer and cardiac diseases are rising sharply, and treatment costs are becoming unaffordable for ordinary families.

Activist alleges 'loot in name of PPP'

Social activist Vijay Kumbhar has alleged that the project amounts to "loot of public money and privatisation of healthcare in the name of PPP." He claimed that Apulki Healthcare Private Limited was established on November 12, 2025, just months before being awarded control of the Rs 165-crore hospital project. "How was a company with no experience in the healthcare sector handed such a massive public project?" he asked.

Doubts over company address and ownership

Kumbhar alleged that the registered address of the company is the same as the address of the newly constructed PMC hospital at Baner. "Was this company created only to take over this hospital project?" he asked. He sought clarity on whether the institution has charitable registration as despite civic land and Rs 14 crore of civic funds being used for the project, patients may have to undergo treatment at private rates.
"The name belongs to a prominent personality's father, while control remains with private entities. This appears to be an open scam carried out with the support of civic officials," Kumbhar alleged.

Facility not registered: Charity Commissioner's office

The controversy intensified after officials from the Charity Commissioner's office clarified that "Apulki Medical Care" is not registered under the Maharashtra Public Trusts Act. When Pune Times Mirror contacted the Charity Commissioner's office, a senior official stated that no registration application had been submitted by "Apulki Medical Care".

Civic officials reject allegations

Civic health department officials rejected allegations of irregularities in the project. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a PMC official claimed that the tender process was done nearly five years ago and all decisions by the civic body were within the legal framework. "The proposal received approval from the General Body. Earlier, the organisation operated under the name 'We Care'. In 2025, the name was changed to 'Apulki Medical Care," the official claimed.

Naming row adds fresh political heat

The controversy has escalated over the naming of the hospital after the late Yashwantrao Bhimale, father of senior BJP corporator and Standing Committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale. In a video statement, social activist Vinita Deshmukh questioned why public hospitals and civic facilities funded through public money were being named after political figures' relatives.

She said that Bhimale, who represents the Salisbury Park area, has no direct geographical connection with Baner. "Did late Yashwantrao Bhimale contribute even one centimetre of work for Pune city? What exactly was his contribution?" Deshmukh asked.