The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has barred electronic media personnel from entering the hall for its general body meeting on March 23, 2026. The decision, confirmed by civic officials, was attributed to severe space constraints within the meeting hall. Only print media journalists and councilors were permitted inside for the session, which included discussions on the civic budget.
PMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh stated that the move was a temporary measure due to the hall's limited capacity and the large number of attendees expected. He emphasized that arrangements were made for electronic media to cover the proceedings from an adjacent room with a live audio feed. The meeting's agenda was focused on the tabling and discussion of the municipal budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The ban has drawn criticism from local media bodies and opposition party members, who argue it restricts transparency and public access to civic governance. Similar restrictions on media access have been reported in other Indian municipal bodies during budget sessions, often citing logistical issues.
